On 2 October 2014 the Senate asked its Standing Committee on Environment and Communications to conduct an inquiry into the performance and management of electricity network companies. In accordance with its terms of reference, the inquiry is to consider how electricity network companies have calculated and presented costings and infrastructure changes and the effects on energy users.
Submission
On 18 December 2014 the AER provided a submission to the Senate Standing Committee inquiry. The submission highlights that proposals from network businesses are subject to a significant amount of scrutiny to ensure that customers are paying no more than necessary for a safe and reliable electricity supply. The submission also emphasises that it is the AER who determines rate of return for network businesses and that a range of recent reforms have provided the AER with greater ability to promote efficient outcomes for electricity consumers.
AER submission to Senate Inquiry into electricity network companies - 18 December 2014