Publications
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Submission to AER’s Pipeline Regulatory Determinations and Elections Guide
PIAC supported the AER reviewing the level of regulation applying to natural gas pipelines operating in Eastern Australia. In the submission we argue that self-initiated reviews should serve to promote competitive pricing and ensure risks associated with pipeline investment are appropriately managed by those best placed to do so, and that unreasonable costs and risks…
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Joint Submission to the AEMC Electricity Consumption Benchmarks Consultation Paper
PIAC provided a joint response to the AEMC’s Electricity Consumption Benchmarks Consultation Paper (the Paper) alongside the Australian Council of Social Service, Victorian Council of Social Service and South Australian Council of Social Service. The paper sought feedback on a rule change proposed by the AER to cease collection of electricity consumption benchmark data. We…
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Submission to the ‘Rental Fairness’ Bill
PIAC made a submission to the Legislative Assembly Select Committee on the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Rental Fairness) Bill 2023 (NSW) (the Bill). PIAC commended the NSW Government for initiating rental housing regulation reform early in its term. The submission supports extending the existing ban on solicited rent bidding to landlords and third parties and the creation of a…
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Submission to the Fourth Review of the Transport Standards
PIAC made a submission to the 2022 Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Cth) (Transport Standards). Our submission reiterates many concerns from our submission to the Third Review, as the majority of issues we identified and our recommendations have not been addressed. These include: We also refer to two specific transport areas – rideshare…
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Submittion to AEMO Services on the Draft 2023 Infrastructure Investment Objectives Report
PIAC provided a response to AEMO Services on the Draft 2023 Infrastructure Investment Objectives Report. We commend the Consumer Trustee on the thoroughness of the report and the information and consultation sessions that have accompanied it. We recommend two broad improvements to future IIO reports to build on this good work. First, the reports and…
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Paying to pay: Using credit products to afford energy
PIAC partnered with the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) to research payment harms in energy (gas and electricity) and telecommunications (phone and internet). The research examined whether people experiencing disadvantage pay more to receive utilities because of the way they pay. This report is one of a series from the Paying to pay research and examines where…
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Submission to the AEMC on the National Electricity Amendment (Amendment of the Market Price Cap, Cumulative Price Threshold and Administered Price Cap) Rule
PIAC provided a response to the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) on the National Electricity Amendment (Amendment of the Market Price Cap, Cumulative Price Threshold and Administered Price Cap) Rule. The AEMC Reliability Panel has recommended a rule change increasing the market price settings – the Market Price Cap (MPC), Cumulative Price Threshold (CPT), and…
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Submission to the AER Review of Gas Distribution Network Reference Tariff Variation Mechanism & Declining Block Tariffs
PIAC provided a response to the Australian Energy Regulator’s Review of Gas Distribution Network Reference Tariff Variation Mechanism & Declining Block Tariffs Issues Paper (the Paper). Our response sought to bring a more holistic view of national gas laws, regulations and policies to the Paper in relation to the ongoing energy transition and electrification that…
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Submission to the AEMC Review into the Arrangements for Failed Retailers’ Electricity and Gas Contracts
PIAC provided a response to the AEMC’s Review into the Arrangement for Failed Retailers’ Electricity and Gas Contracts (the Review) Directions Paper (the Paper). It is PIAC’s position that consumer outcomes must be the key consideration when reviewing the Retailer of Last Resort (RoLR) scheme. We expressed concerns that the Paper is predominantly focused on…
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Submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s investigation into Youth Justice and Child Wellbeing Reform across Australia
PIAC has made a submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s national investigation into opportunities for reform of youth justice and related systems. In calling for submissions, the Commission noted ‘[w]hile Australia has made some reforms to youth justice systems, there remain laws, policies and practices that impact negatively on the rights and wellbeing of children and…