Energy and water

Media and commentary related to our work to protect and advance consumer protections for essential services, and accelerate a just transition to net zero.

  • Community and industry collaborate for better outcomes for people experiencing vulnerability

    Today Australia’s peak body for energy retailers, the Australian Energy Council, has committed to best practice principles for assisting people struggling to afford their energy, and published a guide to help its members implement these principles. This outcome is the result of collaboration between consumer advocates and energy retailers that started at the beginning of…

  • Treasury plans to give energy retailers control of consumer data should be abandoned

    The Commonwealth Treasury’s new proposal for a Consumer Data Right (CDR) increases risks for vulnerable energy consumers, won’t deliver its intended benefits and should be abandoned. These were the recommendations of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s submission to the Treasury’s consultation on its plans for a CDR for energy. The Treasury proposal puts control of…

  • Overhaul needed for water planning

    ,

    Water consumer advocate, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), has welcomed the Productivity Commission’s calls for an overhaul of Australia’s national water policy. In a report released on Thursday, the Productivity Commission urged Australian Governments to modernise and strengthen the National Water Initiative so it can effectively guide water policy and planning into the future.…

  • Energy rule-maker rejects rent-seeking bid, protects consumers

    Energy consumer advocate, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, strongly supports the Australian energy rule-maker’s decision to reject a request from energy network businesses to change network financing rules to the detriment of consumers. The Australian Energy Market Commission (the Commission) today rejected Transgrid and ElectraNet’s bid to allow them to recover revenue for large capital…

  • Off-grid dream becomes reality as bushfire threat creates new era for power networks

    Craig Memery, who leads PIAC’s Energy + Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program, explains some of the benefits of stand alone power systems in this story for ABC 7.30. Key points: Essential Energy says 3,200 poles were destroyed across New South Wales in bushfires last summer Energy companies are increasingly looking to replace power lines with standalone…

  • Roadmap secures NSW energy future

    , ,

    The Public Interest Advocacy Centre applauds the NSW government and Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean for announcing an ambitious plan to make the state a renewable energy superpower, while driving down electricity costs and making energy more resilient and reliable. PIAC welcomes the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which is expected to lower household bills…

  • Climate and Energy Forum

    , ,

    We should build a low carbon economy, not just because it’s good for the environment but because it’s good for the state and the country. – The Hon. Matt Kean MP, NSW Minister for Energy and Environment Thank you to everyone who attended PIAC’s zoom forum on 14 October, and heard from a panel of…

  • Minister’s certainty on gas a win for consumers and environment

    , ,

    Leading energy consumer advocate, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre has welcomed NSW Energy and Environment Minister, Matt Kean’s statements confirming gas has no long-term future in the state. The Minister on Tuesday said, ‘the business case for gas is on the clock’, gas ‘may be useful in the short term’, but wind, solar, pumped hydro…

  • Morrison gas plan no help for consumers, bad for taxpayers and disaster for environment

    Leading NSW energy consumer advocate, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre has dismissed the government’s plan to increase the supply of gas as a capitulation to lobbyists that is risky, expensive and an ineffective way to help people and businesses struggling with high gas prices. ‘It is disappointing that the Morrison Government has ignored advice from…

  • New Renewable Energy Zone a win for NSW households

    , ,

    The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) energy and water consumers’ advocacy program welcomes the announcement by the NSW government of a new Renewable Energy Zone in the New England region. As advocates for affordable and sustainable energy for NSW households, PIAC supports the NSW government increasing the amount of renewable energy in the system and…

149 results found