Energy Ministers have recognised the need for a more efficient approach to national advocacy for all energy consumers. At their meeting of 23 November 2012, Energy Ministers agreed to a comprehensive energy market reform package, which was endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) at its 7 December 2012 meeting.
The package included an agreement to develop a proposal for a national energy consumer advocacy body to be presented to the Standing Council on Energy and Resources (SCER) at its first meeting in 2013.
To progress this Dr John Tamblyn and Mr John Ryan have been appointed by the Energy Market Reform Working Group to provide advice for SCER’s consideration on an effective model for a national energy consumer advocacy body.
The Expert Advisors will be asked to consider the principles of effective consumer advocacy and provide advice on the form, scope and funding for such a body.
The Expert Advisors will be working to the following timeline:
- Commence January 2013
- Stakeholder consultation February 2013
- Final report by 30 April 2013