On 24 October 2013, the AEMC published notice of the initiation of the AER Authorisation of Software Changes by AEMO rule change and the intention for the rule change request to be considered under the expedited rule change process. In addition, a consultation paper to aid stakeholder consultation on the rule change request was published.

Rule change requests which are considered ‘non-controversial’ under the NEL, in that they are unlikely to have a significant effect on the national electricity market, are considered under the expedited rule change process, rather than under the standard process.

The key differences between the expedited process and the standard process are as follows:

• The expedited process only has one stage of consultation which is for four weeks. The standard process has two stages of consultation for a total of ten weeks.
• The expedited process only provides for consultation on the rule change process. The standard rule change process provides for consultation on the rule change request and a draft decision document and draft rule.
• The expedited process is completed in six weeks, allowing for two weeks for the completion of the final decision document and a final rule following the close of consultation. The standard process provides a maximum of ten weeks to complete the draft decision document and draft rule, and a maximum of six weeks to complete the final decision document and final rule, following the close of the second round of consultation.

Objections to the expedited process were due by 7 November 2013. Submissions on the content of the proposal are due by 21 November 2013.

On 7 November 2013, two objections to the expedited process were received, from the Energy Supply Association of Australia and the National Generators Forum. On 8 November, an additional objection was received from GDF Suez Australian Energy.

Having reviewed and assessed the objections, the Commission has determined that they are not misconceived or lacking in substance. The rule change request will therefore proceed under the standard rule change process.