Publications

  • Fitness of ombudsmen schemes issues paper

    PIAC responded to the Australian Energy and Water Ombudsman’s Schemes and Utilities Disputes (the Schemes) Issues Paper on how the Schemes can remain ‘fit for purpose’ as energy and water markets change. Our submission recognises that, increasingly, energy and water consumption and services are comprised of both essential and more discretionary components. PIAC supports a…

  • Jemena access arrangement 2020

    PIAC provided input to Jemena Gas Networks’ Draft 2020 Plan for its 2020-25 access arrangement period. We commend Jemena for their broad, comprehensive, responsive and well-timed engagement with consumers and consumer advocates. We have engaged with Jemena on various issues relating to the 2020-25 access arrangements and this submission builds on those interactions. We also…

  • Regulatory sandbox arrangements

    PIAC responded to the AEMC’s draft report on regulatory sandbox arrangements. PIAC supports the introduction of a set of regulatory sandbox tools that allow changes to the regulatory framework to be trialled in a manner that balances the potential to capture the benefits of transformation against the risks and maintaining consumer protections. We recommend the performance…

  • Trajectory for Low Energy Existing Homes discussion paper

    PIAC responded to the Commonwealth Department of Energy and Environment’s Trajectory for Low Energy Existing Homes discussion paper (the paper). PIAC strongly supports the detailed submissions to this process by RENEW and the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS). PIAC has worked closely with these and other organisations to develop a shared understanding of the crucial role that improved…

  • Submission to the Review of the Residential Tenancies Regulation

    This submission draws on the experience of two projects of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC). The Homeless Persons’ Legal Service (HPLS) regularly advocates on behalf of tenants who are at risk of homelessness and individuals currently experiencing homelessness who are seeking to re-enter a tenancy. The Energy and Water Consumer Advocacy Program (EWCAP) has…

  • Reducing Customer Switching Times

    PIAC responded to the AEMC’s consultation on the proposed rule change, intended to reduce the time taken customers to switch between retailers. PIAC considers the ability of customers to switch easily between retailers is an important contributor to achieving good consumer outcomes in the retail energy market. As such, we consider the current arrangements for switching, which can often see customers…

  • National Hydrogen Strategy issues papers

    PIAC responded to the COAG Energy Council’s consultation on the National Hydrogen Strategy issue paper 6 – Hydrogen in the gas network.    We note that the issues paper focusses on the policy and technological barriers to the use of hydrogen in gas networks but does not discuss costs and who pays. We consider this a…

  • Retail Pricing Information Guideline

    PIAC responded to the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) consultation paper on the review of the Retail Pricing Information Guidelines (the Guidelines). We outline a number of concerns with the Guidelines in our submission. We highlight the Guidelines contain a number of amendments that effectively remove the requirement for third party price comparison websites, sales websites…

  • Transmission Loss Factors rule change

    PIAC responded to the AEMC’s consultation on the transmission loss factor rule change. We note as the energy system is transforming a framework for optimal system-wide investment is required to ensure the transition is delivered in a timely and cost-effective way. This framework should identify the most efficient system-wide solution, deliver the solution in a…

  • Rule change to extend the Demand Management Incentives Schemes and Demand Management Innovation Allowance to apply to transmission businesses

    PIAC responded to the AEMC’s consultation on a rule change to extend the Demand Management Incentives Schemes (DMIS) and Demand Management Innovation Allowance (DMIA) to apply to transmission businesses. We support the rule change and note that where transmission businesses have utilised demand management as a non-network option to defer or avoid network investment significant…

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