Stakeholders are invited to view a draft rule to improve consultation on subordinate instruments across the National Electricity Rules (NER) and National Gas Rules (NGR).

AEMC Chair Anna Collyer said good consultation processes were crucial for good policy development and implementation.

‘The scale of reform in our energy markets could place significant burdens on both participants and decision-makers without fit-for-purpose, flexible consultation processes to guidelines, procedures and other instruments,’ Ms Collyer said.

The draft electricity rule introduces two new consultation processes so instruments can be updated more quickly. One is for non-material changes (the expedited process), and the other is for minor and administrative changes. Two rounds of consultation will be retained for changes that are likely to impact significantly on the NEM. 

The draft rule also allows consulting parties to choose, and stakeholders to request, to switch from the expedited process to the standard two-round process. It also simplifies and gives more certainty about consultation timeframes.

The draft gas rule removes the Extended consultative procedure from the NGR. Instead parties will be directed to consult according to the Standard consultative procedure, which provides a flexible two-round process.

No changes have been proposed to the retail consultation procedures in the National Energy Retail Rules (NERR).

Ms Collyer said the Commission is making consultation more transparent, predictable, and fit-for-purpose, so stakeholders and consulting parties can use their limited time and resources to greatest effect.  

This initial rule change was requested by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and supported by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). It aimed to make consultation procedures more adaptable to different circumstances.

Submissions to the draft determination and draft rule are due by 26 May 2022.

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