Inaugural panel, CCP I (2013–2016)

Establishment

Our approach to the CCP has been informed by the experience of regulators in Great Britain and adapted to reflect the Australian context and regulatory framework. Further information on the experience of consumer challenge in Great Britain and its potential role in Australia is available in a paper by Dr Gill Owen commissioned by the AER: The potential role of Consumer Challenge in energy network regulation in Australia.

Additional information is also available in the AER’s March 2013 National Consumer Roundtable presentation on the CCP.

The potential role of Consumer Challenge in energy network regulation in Australia

National Consumer Roundtable on Energy - Consumer Challenge Panel Presentation

Membership

The following members were appointed to the inaugural Consumer Challenge Panel (CCP). The members had significant local and international expertise, spanning fields including economic regulation, energy networks and consumer representation.

The inaugural Panel members were:

  • Ms Jo De Silva
  • Mr Hugh Grant
  • Mr David Headberry
  • Mr Mark Henley
  • Ms Bev Hughson
  • Mr Adrian Kemp
  • Ms Ruth Lavery
  • Mr Bob Lim
  • Mr Bruce Mountain
  • Dr Gill Owen
  • Mr David Prins
  • Ms Robyn Robinson

A note expressing the thoughts and sympathies of the AER Board and staff on the passing of Dr Gill Owen is available in our news section. For further information on each member please see the CCP1 Member Biographies:

Consumer Challenge Panel 1 - Member Biographies (last updated 1 July 2015)

CCP II (2016–2022)

Membership

Members were appointed to the second iteration of the Consumer Challenge Panel (CCP) on the basis of significant local and international expertise, spanning fields including economic regulation, energy networks and consumer representation.

Members were initially appointed for a term of 3 years. In June 2019 the AER exercised its right to extend the CCP's appointment agreement for a further year up to September 2020. This option was exercised again in 2020, with remaining members extended until September 2021. 

CCP II members were:

  • Ms Louise Benjamin (until September 2019)
  • Mr Chris Fitz-Nead (until June 2020)
  • Mr Mark Grenning (until September 2021)
  • Mr Eric Groom PSM (until March 2019)
  • Mr Mark Henley (until September 2021)
  • Ms Beverley Hughson (until September 2021)
  • Mr Andrew Nance (until September 2019)
  • Mr David Prins (until September 2021)
  • Ms Robyn Robinson (until September 2021)
  • Mr Mike Swanston (until September 2021)

Governance

The CCP is governed by three key documents:

  • The Consumer Challenge Panel (CCP) Governance Handbook provides guidance on how the CCP sub-panels operate and provide advice to the AER.
  • The Process Map is a guide to the engagement activities of CCP sub-panels at particular points of the regulatory review process.
  • A conflict of interest guideline assists members in managing any potential conflicts that may arise as they perform multiple roles in the energy market.

These documents were updated in 2021 to serve as the operational documents for CCP III. Preceding versions of these operational documents, which governed the operation of CCP II, are provided below.

Consumer Challenge Panel - Governance Handbook - January 2017

Consumer Challenge Panel - Governance Handbook - Process map - December 2016

Consumer Challenge Panel - Conflict of interest guideline - 2017

Consumer Challenge Panel - Conflict of interest register - Updated May 2020

Conflict of Interest of Inaugural Panel

Members of the inaugural CCP were appointed because of their backgrounds and experience. In addition to their role with the CCP, members were also active in the Australian energy industry and wider community. In performing multiple roles, conflicts of interest inevitably arose.

In order to manage these conflicts, CCP members were to notify the AER of all potential conflicts, which were listed on a public register. The link to the conflict of interest register for the inaugural CCP is below. CCP members were also subject to a conflict of interest guideline which assisted members in managing this issue. In some circumstances, a conflict resulted in members either excluding themselves from certain sub-panels or removing themselves from a project.

CCP Conflict of Interest Guideline 2013-2016

Consumer Challenge Panel - Conflict of interest register - 30 July 2015