Interim Report

Interim Report

20 April 2015

© Commonwealth of Australia 2015
ISBN 978-1-76010-192-3

View the report as a single document - (PDF 1230KB)


View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Committee membership (PDF 21KB)
Acronyms and Abbreviations (PDF 10KB)
Executive summary (PDF 19KB)
List of recommendations (PDF 40KB)
Chapter 1 - Introduction (PDF 27KB)

Conduct of the inquiry
Structure of the report
Notes on references

Chapter 2 - The context of this inquiry (PDF 171KB)

High electricity prices and 'gold plating'
An uncertain future: the rise of 'disruptive technologies' and concern about a 'death spiral'
Privatisation
Concluding comment

Chapter 3 - Overview of the regulatory framework and revenue determination process (PDF 240KB)

Networks in the National Electricity Market
Regulation of electricity networks in the National Electricity Market
Introduction to the revenue determination process
The 'building block' approach
Recent rule changes and upcoming determinations
Committee comment

Chapter 4 - Regulatory building blocks (PDF 213KB)

Calculation of the regulatory asset base
Weighted average cost of capital
Taxation
Committee view

Chapter 5 - Regulation of state government-owned network companies (PDF 156KB)

Efficiency of state government-owned networks
Application of competitive neutrality principles
Revenue raising via electricity companies
Asset write-downs and privatisation proposals
Committee view

Chapter 6 - Information asymmetry, incentives to 'game' the regulator and merits review (PDF 123KB)

The propose–respond method of revenue determinations
Limited merits review
Committee view

Chapter 7 - The rule-making process and institutional framework (PDF 120KB)

Rule-making process
Effectiveness of the current regulatory system
The AEMC's and AER's performance
Proposed consolidation of rule-making and regulatory functions
Committee view

Chapter 8 - Demand-side participation and response to technological and market changes (PDF 147KB)

Introduction
Decentralised energy
Demand management
Network tariff reform
Committee view

Additional comments from Coalition Senators (PDF 8KB)
Dissenting Report from the Australian Greens (PDF 35KB)
Appendix 1 - Submissions, tabled documents, additional information and answers to questions taken on notice (PDF 15KB)

Tabled documents

Appendix 2 - Public Hearings (PDF 14KB)

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3526
ec.sen@aph.gov.au