The Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) is calling on the Crisafulli Government to permanently remove Best Practice Industrial Conditions (BPICs) to ensure renewable energy projects can be delivered more quickly and affordably, while maintaining strong workplace health and safety standards.
QREC Chief Executive Officer Katie-Anne Mulder said the Government’s decision to immediately suspend BPICs after last year’s election – and to establish the Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC) with its first inquiry focused on the construction industry—was a welcome step.
“BPICs were introduced ahead of the last State election on renewable projects linked to Government Owned Corporations, without any consultation with industry,” she said.
“They created duplication, unnecessary cost structures, and productivity barriers that threatened the commercial viability of projects that are critical to Queensland’s energy transition.”
Ms Mulder said QREC welcomed the QPC’s interim finding that most safety provisions in BPICs were already comprehensively addressed through Work Health and Safety legislation, relevant codes of practice, and standard industrial awards.
“BPICs simply replicate existing obligations without delivering better outcomes. The QPC is right to conclude that more targeted mechanisms will be far more effective in advancing goals such as workforce diversity, mental health and inclusion.”
QREC’s Queensland Renewables Growth & Investment Strategy identifies a world-class development framework as essential to unlocking the next wave of investment. A key element of that framework is removing regulatory and policy barriers that slow projects and/or add unnecessary costs.
“Permanently removing BPICs aligns with this Strategy’s vision by providing policy clarity, ensuring consistency across infrastructure sectors, and removing unnecessary regulatory friction for developers and investors.”
Queensland’s renewable energy industry is ready to deliver a pipeline of more than 45 gigawatts of wind, solar, pumped hydro and battery projects. Permanently removing BPICs will help ensure those projects proceed at lower cost and with greater efficiency—while still upholding the strongest workplace health and safety standards.