Page 3234 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 18 October 2022
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It is vital, therefore, that customers in embedded networks are afforded comparable consumer protections to those customers with direct connections to the electricity network. This is especially important at times like these when energy prices are particularly volatile.
Through this review process, we will need to determine what consumer protections exist for embedded electricity network customers, what needs to be amended or strengthened, and how contracts between embedded network operators, owners corporations and consumers of electricity can be better managed.
In his motion, Mr Pettersson notes the investigations into embedded electricity networks being carried out in other jurisdictions. New South Wales have only recently commenced their inquiry, in the first part of this year. While they have accepted submissions and held several hearings, they are yet to release a report or recommendations.
In response to similar concerns, in July this year the Victorian government announced a ban on embedded electricity networks in new residential apartment buildings and a set of reforms for existing networks, commencing in January 2023. This includes transitioning embedded networks into Victoria’s electricity licensing framework, which will ensure that consumers in both new and existing residential embedded networks will have the same retail market access, legal protections and regulatory oversight as other Victorian consumers.
The expert panel established by the Victorian government to conduct the review into embedded networks handed down its draft report in June 2021. Their time line for implementing the recommendations of the review extends out over several more years, which I think indicates that there is still quite a bit of work to be done. It does highlight the complexity of the issue and the analysis required to determine the most appropriate way forward.
I can let the Assembly know that, having received this feedback from constituents myself, I have directed the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate to commence investigations into embedded electricity networks in the ACT. They have been working on that for a little while. This has included consultation with several other ACT government directorates who have an interest in achieving an equitable outcome for ACT electricity consumers and with electricity retailers operating here in the territory. That has been an initial stage of investigations, and the scope of work has not yet been formalised, because it has been in an investigation phase.
I think that works quite well with the motion that Mr Pettersson has brought forward today, because the issues he has identified are certainly reflected in the preliminary work that has been done by the directorate, so I am very happy to support this motion today. I am happy to reassure Ms Lee, who expressed some consternation, that the government has in fact already been looking at these matters. Mr Pettersson’s public discourse makes it useful for the Assembly to understand the work that is both going on and will need to be done in the future.
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