Smart Energy Council

Question

1. With reference to an article in The Australian of 15 April 2025, titled "Smart Energy Council linked to black-listed solar firms accused of slave labour," about the Smart Energy Council's receipt of money from Chinese companies allegedly involved in human rights abuses and, more specifically, the use of slave labour: Are the concerns raised in the article valid? a. What have you done in response? b. Have you written to or met with the Smart Energy Council? c. Have you established what due diligence the Smart Energy Council conducts before accepting such monies? d. Have you raised concerns about any particular companies: if so, which ones? e. What has the Smart Energy Council SEC done in response to your representations? f. Has the Smart Energy Council suspended or ended any relationship with companies exposed to forced-labour concerns? g. Have you sought the views of Uyghur victims of modern slavery to inform measures the Smart Energy Council might take to address these issues? 2. You were quoted in a January 2025 Guardian article as saying said many businesses are "ignoring the facts". Would a Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act listing be one fact the Smart Energy Council should not ignore?

Answer

Please see attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• BE26-188.pdf (opens in a new tab)