Equitable access to the essential: PIAC submission to the Senate Select Committee on Electricity Prices

This submission was made to the Senate Select Committee on Electricity Prices, before which PIAC also gave verbal evidence on 25 September 2012. In the submission, PIAC responds to a number of the Committee’s Terms of Reference, making recommendations that aim to improve electricity affordability for all residential consumers. In particular, PIAC makes statements and recommendations regarding: the key causes of recent and future price rises; legislative and regulatory arrangements regarding network investment and their consequences for bills; amending the National Electricity Objective to make ‘affordable access’ and explicit aim; energy efficiency options for low-income consumers; opportunities for improved consumer advocacy and representation; the adoption of technologies to help consumers manage their electricity use; the adequacy of information available to consumers regarding retail electricity offers; arrangements to assist low-income consumers with electricity pricing and bills, including indexing customer assistance payments; the price impact of electricity green schemes; and the need to hold an energy affordability forum to fundamentally examine the challenge of ensuring all consumers remain connected to the essential service of electricity.