Joint statement: Proposed Electricity Price Monitoring and Response Powers

Australia’s business community and the energy sector urge the Australian Government to abandon proposed legislation that will impede the broader investment environment in Australia and specifically discourage badly needed investment in the energy sector.

The signatories to this statement are robustly opposed to the creation of unilateral divestment powers for the Treasurer. Such discretionary and quasi-judicial powers represent deep and genuine sovereign risk. They are inconsistent with best practice for a modern economy, such as Australia’s, and were specifically considered and rejected by the ACCC and the Harper Competition Policy Review. If enacted, these powers would cast a pall over investment in all sectors of the Australian economy and threaten the economic attractiveness of a country highly reliant on foreign investment.

Consumer protections are important and we support ongoing consideration of options to improve existing regulatory regimes. The recent ACCC Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry Final Report made 56 recommendations to improve outcomes for energy customers. Divestiture powers was not one of them. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Electricity Price Monitoring) Bill 2018 (the Bill) sets the ACCC recommendations aside and instead creates an unpredictable enforcement regime. This only undermines the long-term interests of consumers. This is a dangerous precedent.

Driving down prices for any market requires investment. Investors require clear, stable and predictable rules so that they have the necessary confidence to make those investment decisions. This legislation will only lead to increased investment uncertainty and prices.

We urge the Government to abandon the Bill and work with the business community on reform options which enhance Australia’s economic stability, encourage investment and deliver better outcomes for consumers.

Endorsed by:

Australian Energy Council

Australian Industry Group

Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association

Business Council of Australia

Energy Networks Australia

Energy Users Association of Australia

For more information contact: Carl Kitchen, Communications Manager AEC 0401 691 342