The Federal Government will provide $5.0 million over four years to progress further work on the reform of Australia's energy markets, including:

  • commissioning the Productivity Commission to examine the use of benchmarking as a means of achieving the efficient delivery of network services and electricity infrastructure and to assess whether the current regulatory framework is delivering efficient levels of transmission interconnection to support the operation of the National Electricity Market;
  • bringing forward the scheduled review of the current limited merits review appeal process for network cost determinations, to help ensure it is delivering effective outcomes that are fair for both consumers and network businesses;
  • conducting a scoping study on the establishment of an energy information hub to improve energy information disclosure by retailers and distributors in order to help consumers to better understand and manage their energy use; and
  • continuing the reform agenda of the Standing Council on Energy and Resources to assist in mitigating electricity price pressures.