On 23 October 2024, the AER published an issues paper regarding updates to the Ring-fencing guideline (Electricity transmission) (the Guideline).  The proposed updates focus on amending the guideline to include negotiated transmission services, in line with the AEMC’s amendment to rule 6A.21.2 of the National Electricity Rules (NER).

In our issues paper, we outlined our framework for considering changes.  We also set out a range of matters for stakeholder consideration, including: 

• whether all, some, or no negotiated services should be ring-fenced, and the manner in which ring-fencing should occur 
• whether to expand the definition of ‘ring-fenced information’ 
• whether to require additional reporting on the delivery of services 
• expanding current obligations, in regard to marketing staff separation, to provision of negotiated services, and 
• whether to introduce restrictions on cross-branding and promotions.

We then developed a formal proposal for changes to the guideline, based on feedback provided to the issues paper and previous stakeholder consultations with the AER and AEMC regarding the NER rule change.

The AER published an issues paper on 23 October 2024 which set out a range of matters for stakeholder consideration, including: 

• whether all, some, or no negotiated services should be ring-fenced, and the manner in which ring-fencing should occur 
• whether to expand the definition of ‘ring-fenced information’ 
• whether to require additional reporting on the delivery of services 
• expanding current obligations, in regard to marketing staff separation, to provision of negotiated services, and 
• whether to introduce restrictions on cross-branding and promotions.

We invited interested stakeholders to provide submissions on our issues paper by 13 November 2024. 

Submissions have now closed.

The issues paper was the first stage of consultation on possible changes to the guideline and the treatment of negotiated transmission services.