COAG Energy Council Reform Agenda Implementation Plan – Progress Report
Issue Date: 23 July 2015
NOTE: This Plan covers the Council’s current strategic priorities only – it is not intended to reflect the Council’s full work program
Key Theme
Generation
Key Objective + Outcome for Consumers
Reducing Investment Uncertainty
To provide certainty to market participants and consumers about
the Energy Council’s policy of maintaining the existing market
design, where generators are paid for the electricity they
produce, and confidence that this market design will deliver least
cost electricity over the long term to consumers
Wholesale Market Monitoring
To ensure the market is flexible and responsive to changing
circumstances (such as government policy, increases or
decreases in prices and entry or exit of generation plants) by
monitoring the wholesale market to identify and quantify the
costs of inefficiencies
Key Actions
Key Milestones and Status
Delivery Timeframe
1. Make a strong public commitment to the energy only market
in the National Electricity Market (NEM) and to not pursuing
policies which add unnecessary regulatory or policy risk, and
to not entertaining proposals for consumers or governments
to provide financial assistance to support closure
a. Statement of policy intent (COMPLETED)
a. Dec 2014
2. Introduction of an explicit wholesale market monitoring
function for the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) by
amending the National Electricity Law
a. Draft bill of amendments to the National Electricity Law (for
consultation) (IN PROGRESS)
a. Aug 2015
b. Final bill of amendments to the National Electricity Law to be
considered by the Energy Council
c. Sep 2015
c. Explanatory paper setting out how submissions were
incorporated in the bill’s drafting process
b. Sep 2015
d. TBC
d. Final bill of amendments to the National Electricity Law as
introduced into South Australian Parliament
Generator Reliability Performance
To provide confidence that generators are maintaining
equipment to deliver a reliable and secure electricity supply
despite lower electricity prices
Barriers to Generators Exiting the Market
To ensure that generators are not facing any barriers in the
National Electricity Law and Rules (regulatory arrangements) that
would prevent them from exiting the market in response to
market price signals, while ensuring the electricity system
continues to operate in a reliable and secure manner
Power System Security and Reliability
To ensure the National Electricity Rules provide the market
operator with the capacity to maintain system security and
reliability for consumers in light of the increase in intermittent
renewable energy generation
Networks
Strategic Assessment of Network Regulation – Scenario Analysis
To assess the effectiveness of the current arrangements for
setting electricity network businesses’ revenues in light of
changes in technologies and use patterns to make sure
consumers will not be faced with paying more than necessary for
a reliable and secure supply of electricity
Network Tariff Reform
To ensure network tariff reform is seen by stakeholders as a key
priority for Ministers to support the efficient utilisation of the
network by consumers, enable the efficient integration of new
technologies and lower future network costs
To ensure consumers understand the benefits of tariff reform
and how they can respond to maximise those benefits and better
manage their energy bills
3. Increase monitoring of generator reliability performance in
light of the oversupplied market
a. Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to provide
ongoing advice on reliability outcomes (ONGOING)
Ongoing
4. Request AEMO to advise whether current regulatory
arrangements are sufficient to ensure the potential exit of
generators does not jeopardise power system security and
reliability
a. AEMO to provide advice on current regulatory arrangements
(COMPLETED)
a. Jun 2015
b. AEMC to provide advice on current regulatory arrangements
(COMPLETED)
c. End 2016
5. Request the AEMC to advise whether there are any material
barriers in the regulatory arrangements that might
reasonably constitute barriers to exiting the market
c. Advice to the Energy Council on a potential future reform
programme (if necessary) (NOT STARTED)
6. Examine whether there is a need to improve the Rules under
which system security is achieved
a. AEMO to provide advice on the adequacy of existing Rules
a. Sep 2015
b. Advice to the Energy Council on a potential future reform
programme (if necessary)
b. End 2015
7. Undertake a strategic assessment of the likely performance
of the existing network economic regulatory model against
potential future scenarios to test the adequacy of the current
regulatory framework
a. Advice to the Energy Council on the need for further work
(IN PROGRESS)
a. Jun 2015
8. Make a public commitment to the ongoing need for network
tariff reform to support better price signals for energy
consumers, winding back of cross subsidies and integration of
new technologies, while conveying a clear expectation to
industry that it take leadership in moving early to more cost
reflective tariffs
a. Public commitment via Energy Council communique
(COMPLETED)
a. Dec 2014
9. Support effective communication on the benefits of tariff
reform to support faster transition and take up of new tariffs
a. Engage with energy market bodies, industry stakeholders
and consumer advocates on communication requirements
and role of government(s) (IN PROGRESS)
a. Apr 2015
b. Jun 2015
b. End 2015
b. Report to the Energy Council on the outcomes of actioning
the further work and a report on the progress of longer term
work (IN PROGRESS)
b. End 2015
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Key Theme
Key Objective + Outcome for Consumers
Key Actions
Key Milestones and Status
Delivery Timeframe
b. Officials to develop and implement agreed communication
activities/strategies
Optional Firm Access Design and Testing
To ensure the regulatory arrangements are delivering least cost
electricity for consumers by optimising investment in generation
and transmission to facilitate an efficient wholesale market
National Framework for Reliability Standards
To ensure consumers are not paying for a higher level of network
investment than is necessary by setting reliability requirements
in a way that reflects the value customers place on reliability
10. Engage with the AEMC as it tests and further develops the
proposed optional firm access model, undertake timely
assessment of this work and determine the need for further
reform of transmission frameworks, if necessary
a. AEMC’s final report/AEMO advice (COMPLETED)
a. Jun 2015
b. Policy response to AEMC/AEMO (IN PROGRESS)
b. Sep 2015
11. Progress next steps included in the Energy Council’s response
to the AEMC’s Review of the National Framework for
National Distribution Reliability and Review of the National
Framework for Transmission Reliability
a. Jurisdictions to report to the Energy Council on their position
on applying the high-level principles for setting distribution
and transmission reliability requirements (IN PROGRESS)
c. Submit a rule change request (if needed)
b. Advice on consistent reliability standard setting processes
(COMPLETED)
c. Advice on a national reference template for transmission
reliability standards (COMPLETED)
d. Advice on the process by which jurisdictions could transfer
administration of their reliability requirement setting
processes to the AER in the future (COMPLETED)
a. Jul 2015
b. Jul 2015
c. Jul 2015
d. Jul 2015
e. Jul 2015
f. Mar 2015
g. End 2015
e. Advice on compliance monitoring and enforcement
arrangements (COMPLETED)
f. Submit a rule change request around adoption of common
definitions for distribution reliability measures (COMPLETED)
g. Estimations for value of customer reliability (ONGOING)
Review of Limited Merits Review
To look into evidence from the outcomes of appeals under the
reformed limited merits review framework to determine
whether the Australian Competition Tribunal was able to deliver
the policy intent – Council to initiate review of the Tribunal’s role
by 1 December 2016
Retail
National Energy Customer Framework (NECF) Implementation
To progress energy market reforms through to completion to
ensure consumers receive the full benefits
Review of Derogations and Differences
To ensure consumers in all jurisdictions are provided the same
level of protection irrespective of where they reside
National Energy Customer Framework (NECF) Review
To maintain a NECF that is flexible and responsive to changing
circumstances, ensuring consumers are protected as levels of
consumer choice and engagement increase and new product
offerings become available
Retail Energy Price Reporting
To review the existing retail energy reporting frameworks to
ascertain whether these are still designed appropriately for the
current retail market within the NEM
Deregulation of Retail prices
To ensure efficient and competitive retail energy markets for the
benefit of consumers and the energy sector alike
12. Assess whether the amendments to limited merits review
framework delivered the policy intent
a. Finalise Review Terms of Reference
a. Sep 2016
b. Review final report
b. May 2017
c. Develop recommendations
c. Oct 2017
13. Publish clear timelines for completing application of the
National Energy Customer Framework (NECF)
a. Seek advice from the Victorian and Northern Territory
Governments as to NECF implementation timelines
Ongoing
14. Assess opportunities for harmonisation of jurisdictional
differences
a. Individual jurisdictions to report on their NECF derogations
a. Late 2015
b. Report on opportunities for harmonisation
b. Mid 2016
15. Assess whether the NECF requires enhancement in light of
the ongoing change taking place in competitive energy
markets particularly as it regards the introduction of new
technologies, products and services
a. Assess issues raised in the new products and services
consultation (refer action 20 below)
a. Late 2015
16. Officials to further consider the proposed rule change
request to allow the AER to undertake retail energy price
reporting for jurisdictions with deregulated retail energy
prices and those that opt into such reporting. Officials to
consider the scope, including costs and benefits, of the price
reporting function, which jurisdictions may choose to adopt.
a. Consultation (COMPLETED)
a. May 2015
b. Advice to the Energy Council
b. Jul 2015
17. Jurisdictions to work towards effective competition where it
does not exist to allow greater opportunities for innovation in
and choice of retail offers, and provide advice to the Council
on the current state of competition and policy settings to
fulfil this commitment
a. Jurisdictional transition plans on price deregulation
a. Ongoing – being progressed
at jurisdictional level
b. Mid 2016
b. Advice to the Energy Council on the need for further work
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Key Theme
Key Objective + Outcome for Consumers
Residential Electricity Price Trends
To provide information on the drivers of potential movements in
prices in order to facilitate consumers understanding and
engagement in the electricity market
Power of Choice Review – Council Actions
To ensure consumers can effectively engage with the energy
market to make informed choices which maximise the benefits of
their energy use decisions
Key Actions
Key Milestones and Status
Delivery Timeframe
18. AEMC to prepare annual report providing information on the
supply chain components expected to affect the trends in
residential electricity prices for each state and territory of
Australia over a rolling three year period.
a. Annual Report
a. Ongoing – report to be
published by end of given
reporting year
19. Progress actions with industry and energy market bodies to
improve consumer experiences with the energy market
including enhanced switching procedures, improved data
access and development of effective decision making tools
a. Finalise two draft rule change requests to give effect to the
recommendations in the AEMC’s review of customer
switching arrangements in the NEM to improve the timing
and accuracy of the customer transfer process
a. Sept 2015
b. Jul 2015
b. Advice to the Energy Council on the need for further work
(including potential rule changes)
Demand Side
Participation
Third Party Regulation Review
To consider whether the regulatory frameworks in the National
Electricity Market (NEM) will enable customers to benefit from
innovative products and services while ensuring that appropriate
consumer protections and safeguards for the operation of the
electricity market and networks are in place
Demand Response Mechanism (DRM)
To support greater competition in demand response services and
allow demand response to compete with generation in balancing
the market
Smart Meter Rollout
To ensure the governance arrangements are in place for the
effective rollout of smart meters and consumer access to
demand side services to help them better manage their energy
bills
20. Review of how new products and services in the electricity
market should be regulated, particularly when they are
offered by parties not currently covered by the national
energy laws
a. Consultation process (COMPLETED)
a. Dec 2014 – Feb 2015
b. Officials to develop position paper for Energy Council (IN
PROGRESS)
b. Jul 2015
21. Introduction of a DRM and changes to existing rules to allow
for the unbundling of ancillary services
a. Submission of rule change request to AEMC (COMPLETED)
a. Mar 2015
b. AEMC rule change process commences
b. Pending
c. AEMC draft determination
c. TBC
d. AEMC final determination
d. TBC
a. Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) draft
determination on competition in metering rule change
(COMPLETED)
a. Mar 2015
22. Complete the regulatory framework for the competitive
market-led rollout of smart meters and consumer access to
demand side services to help them respond to cost reflective
network tariffs
c. Jul 2015
c. Agreement to next steps
b. AEMC final determination on metering rule change and
advice on implementing shared market protocol
(IN PROGRESS)
b. Nov 2015
c. Mar 2016
c. Submit a rule change request on shared market protocol
National Smart Meter Consumer Protections
To develop rules to provide additional consumer protections for
customers who have a smart meter installed
23. Amend the National Energy Retail Rules to implement the
National Smart Meter Consumer Protections
a. Second exposure draft of the National Energy Retail Rules
amendment
a. Sep 2015
b. Stakeholder consultation on second exposure draft
c. Mar 2016
b. Sep 2015
c. Finalise NERL amendment rule
Energy and
Carbon Policy
Improving the Alignment of Carbon and Energy Policy Settings
To maximise the benefits of greater alignment of carbon
mitigation and energy policy settings and the benefits of greater
harmonisation in promoting efficient outcomes for energy
businesses and consumers.
24. Explore how the national energy market bodies can provide
input into the development and implementation of carbon
mitigation policies in relation to their impact on the energy
markets and the National Electricity and Gas Objectives
a. Officials’ paper to Energy Council setting out specific
recommendations following consultation with the energy
market bodies.
a. Late 2015
25. Develop clear and consistent frameworks for the deployment
of solar-battery storage products and identify and address
inefficient barriers to their update
a. To be implemented in accordance with the actions and
timeframes for the Strategic Work Programme (see actions
41 and 42 below)
N/A
26. As part of developing the National Energy Productivity Plan,
to publish a summary of existing energy market reforms and
energy efficiency activities that have or will contribute to
efficient decarbonisation of the energy sector
a. To be implemented in accordance with the actions and
timeframes for the National Energy Productivity Plan (see
action 27 below)
N/A
27. Request that AEMO expand the scope of the Power System
Security and Reliability work (see action 6 above) to develop
and consider scenarios in which the emissions intensity of
generators influences the distribution and timing of
generator exit
a. AEMO to provide advice
a. Late 2015
28. Ensure that the possibility of an accelerated deployment of
solar-battery products, the Commonwealth Renewable
Energy Target (RET) and jurisdictional schemes to promote
increased investment in large-scale renewable energy, are
a. AEMO to provide advice
a. Late 2015
Page 3 of 7
Key Theme
Key Objective + Outcome for Consumers
Key Actions
Key Milestones and Status
Delivery Timeframe
reflected in AEMO’s transmissions planning work and its
advice
Energy
Productivity
National Energy Productivity Policy Framework
To provide national coordination across both energy efficiency
policy and energy market reform to assist consumers
(householders and business) to be engaged and empowered in
relation to their energy use and costs to make better decisions
Equipment Energy Efficiency
To reduce energy bills for households and businesses in a cost
effective way by driving improvements to the energy efficiency of
new appliances and equipment sold; to improve the energy
efficiency of new appliances and equipment that use energy and
to also improve the energy performance of products that have an
impact on energy consumption; and to reduce appliance and
equipment related greenhouse gas emissions through a process
which complements other actions by jurisdictions
National Energy Efficiency Building Project Phase 2
To improve energy efficiency through greater compliance with
the energy efficiency requirements in the building code in order
to help reduce running costs and greenhouse gas emissions
29. Develop a new energy productivity policy framework,
considering the way forward for national coordination
holistically across both energy efficiency policy and energy
market reform (including many measures listed in this
Progress Report), building on the Australian Government
Energy White Paper and to replace the National Strategy on
Energy Efficiency
a. Draft policy framework presented to Energy Council – seek
authorisation for development of new and refinement of
existing collaborative measures (IN PROGRESS)
30. Complete an independent review of the Inter-Governmental
Agreement for the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum
Standards (GEMS) Legislative Scheme no later than the third
anniversary of the commencement of the GEMS Act
a. Undertake review including stakeholder consultation
(COMPLETED)
a. Jul 2014
b. Review recommendations and draft response to be
considered by Energy Council (IN PROGRESS)
c. Dec 2015
b. Develop measures for consideration of Energy Council
a. Jul 2015
b. Aug – Oct 2015
c. Dec 2015
c. Seek Energy Council approval of final policy framework and
proposed measures
b. Jul 2015
c. Implement agreed recommendations (NOT YET STARTED)
31. Deliver visible and practical pilot projects that respond to key
recommendations of the National Energy Efficiency Building
Project Phase 1 across the areas of building approval
compliance checking, building approval document
management, alterations and additions and consumer
protection and develop a 5 year national strategy
a. Project 1 – Pilot energy efficiency compliance audits for
residential buildings under construction (IN PROGRESS)
a. Jul 2015
b. Project 2 – Pilot Electronic Building Passport Documentation
affecting energy efficiency in new residential buildings
(IN PROGRESS)
c. Jul 2015
c. Project 3 – Identifying pathways to improve compliance and
consistency in the application of energy efficiency to
alternations and additions (IN PROGRESS)
b. Jul 2015
d. Dec 2015
e. Sep 2015
d. Project 4 – Enabling Consumer Protection organisational
knowledge and responsiveness to residential built energy
efficient non-compliance
e. Project 5 – 2020 Steps, 5 year priority strategy for improving
compliance with the energy efficiency provisions of the
National Construction Code
Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS)
32. Management and strategic development of NatHERS
To provide a useful, flexible and nationally consistent mechanism
for governments to identify and promote energy efficient homes
and set minimum building standards for designers, assessors,
certifiers and builders to apply. A centrally administered national
program can minimise regulatory costs and improve regulatory
consistency. An easily identifiable, consistent energy rating
empowers consumers to make appropriate choices when
choosing a home
Gas
Australian Gas Market Vision
To establish a liquid wholesale gas market, with a supportive
investment and regulatory environment where an efficient
reference price is established, that best serves the needs of
participants, and provides market signals for investment and
supply
Australian Gas Market Development Plan
To maintain an updated Australian Gas Market Development
Plan that sets forth gas market specific reform actions that reflect
the Energy Council’s vision for Australian gas markets, and
improves the visibility and accountability of the work priorities of
the Council
a. Accreditation of all three software tools
b. Impact assessment of integrating new climate files into the
NatHERS Chenath Engine
a. Ongoing – 1st stage Aug
2015
b. Sep 2015
c. House Energy Efficiency Inspection Project
c. Jul 2015
d. Introduction of a Certificate IV as a minimum qualification for
NatHERS assessors
d. Jul 2015
33. Release an Energy Council vision for Australian gas markets
which outlines the key areas for future gas market reform
and development action
a. The Energy Council identified four specific policy work
streams that will comprise the next phase of gas market
reform and development. The work streams have been
incorporated into an updated Australian Gas Market
Development Plan
Ongoing
34. Release an updated Australian Gas Market Development Plan
a. The Australian Gas Market Development Plan is updated biannually to reflect the ongoing developments to the Energy
Council’s gas policy work stream
Bi-annually
Page 4 of 7
Key Theme
Key Objective + Outcome for Consumers
AEMC East Coast Wholesale Gas Market and Pipeline
Frameworks Review
To consider the role and objectives of the facilitated gas markets
currently in operation on the east coast and set out a road map
for their continued development in order to meet the Energy
Council’s vision for Australian gas markets
Gas Transmission Pipeline Capacity Trading
To improve transparency and reduce transaction costs to
facilitate gas transmission pipeline capacity trading and
ultimately increase transmission capacity utilisation and deliver
more gas to the market
Unconventional Gas Reserves, Resources and Production
To facilitate the responsible development of unconventional gas
resources by bringing together a variety of measures already
underway within jurisdictions
Governance
Review of Governance Arrangements for Energy Markets
To consider the performance of current governance
arrangements for energy markets and provide advice on
potential areas of improvement to the institutions and their
oversight by the Energy Council to ensure governance
arrangements that support market outcomes that are in the long
term interests of consumers, as stated in the National Electricity
Objective, the National Gas Objective and the National Energy
Retail Objective
Review of Enforcement Regimes
To ensure that enforcement regimes within the national energy
laws operate effectively, represent current best practice, protect
the long term interests of consumers, and support the efficient
and fair operation of energy markets
Key Actions
Key Milestones and Status
Delivery Timeframe
35. Task the AEMC to review the design, function and roles of
facilitated gas markets and gas transportation arrangements
with a report to be delivered to the first Energy Council
meeting in 2015 and considered in light of actions that can be
implemented to strengthen the structure and
competitiveness of the east coast gas market
a. Phase 1 report to the Energy Council (COMPLETED)
a. Jun 2015
b. Draft Phase 2 report to the Energy Council ahead of its end of
year meeting
b. Dec 2015
36. Officials to submit a rule change request requiring the
provision of enhanced pipeline capacity trading information
in accordance with the Gas Transmission Pipeline Capacity
Trading Decision Regulation Impact Statement (agreed by the
Energy Council in December 2013)
a. Officials to submit rule change request to AEMC
(COMPLETED)
a. End Mar 2015
b. AEMO to commence associated procedural change process
c. TBC
37. Develop an annual and nationally consistent report on
unconventional gas reserves/resources and production,
including new well drilling rates
a. Annual report to Energy Council for endorsement
38. Develop a Council (unconventional) gas supply strategy
designed to facilitate the responsible development of gas
resources, which will enable gas supply to respond flexibly to
market conditions
a. Develop draft strategy
a. Mid- 2015
b. Seek Council agreement to strategy
b. Dec 2015
39. Undertake a Review of Governance Arrangements for Energy
Markets examining the broad energy market institutional
structure created by the Council of Australian Governments
as well as the legislative framework that establishes and
assigns functions to institutions
a. Terms of Reference (COMPLETED)
a. Dec 2014
b. Engage Review Panel and commence review (COMPLETED)
b. Feb 2015
c. Public consultation on Issues Paper (COMPLETED)
c. Apr-May 2015
d. Progress Report to the Council (COMPLETED)
d. May-Jun 2015
e. Draft Report to advisory committee (EWG)
e. Jul 2015
f. Public consultation on the Draft Report
f. Aug 2015
g. Final Report to the Energy Council
g. Sep 2015
h. Release of Energy Council's response to the Final Report
h. Dec 2015
a. Finalise project plan for agreed recommendations
(COMPLETED) The plan will include capacity for:
a. Jun 2015
40. Implement recommendations outlined in the Review of
Enforcement Regimes under National Energy Laws as agreed
by the Energy Council at the December 2014 meeting:
b. End Mar 2016
c. AEMO to collect and publish enhanced data on its National
Gas Bulletin Board website
Annually
b. Annual report published on Energy Council website
I.
A COAG consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS)
for appropriate recommendations (a number of
recommendations have been given an exemption from
the RIS process)
II.
The development of a legislative amendments package
which will include consultation
a. Officials to implement recommendations 1 and 3 to 12
b. Officials to further investigate legal and policy options for
recommendations 2 and 13
b. Jul and Dec 2015
c. End 2016
b. Provide a progress report to the Energy Council on the status
of implementation, including advice on further work for
recommendations 2 and 13
c. Finalise implementation of agreed recommendations
Adoption of National Frameworks
To minimise duplication of regulations that could increase
burdens for market participants and, consequently, prices for
consumers, by, to the extent appropriate, making sure the
national legislation is able to by applied fully in all adopting states
and territories
41. Examining barriers to the adoption of the national
frameworks, where appropriate, in the non-NEM state and
territory
a. Advice on whether changes to the National Electricity Law
(and National Gas and National Energy Retail Laws) are
required to allow jurisdictions with non-interconnected
systems applying the national frameworks
a. End 2015
If necessary
b. Draft bill of amendments to the National Electricity Law (and
National Gas and National Energy Retail Laws) (for
consultation)
c. Final bill of amendments to the National Electricity Law (and
National Gas and National Energy Retail Laws) to be
considered by the Energy Council
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Key Theme
Key Objective + Outcome for Consumers
Key Actions
Key Milestones and Status
Delivery Timeframe
d. Explanatory paper setting out how submissions were
incorporated in the bill’s drafting process
e. Final bill of amendments to the National Electricity Law (and
National Gas and National Energy Retail Laws) as introduced
into South Australia
National Energy Market Financial Market Resilience
To confirm the nature of risks to the efficient functioning of the
market from financial instability and to identify whether any
additional measures may be required to manage those risks in
order to minimise the disruptions to consumers and maintain the
financial stability of the market and public confidence
Strategic Work Programme
To consider the direction of future energy policy in light of rapid
changes to the energy sector and the primary aim of contributing
to the achievement of the national energy objectives
Resources
Development
Developing secure and competitive markets
To improve Australia’s ability to compete for global investment
to develop our mineral and energy resources and grow national
prosperity
42. AEMC to undertake public consultation with market
participants and stakeholders
43. Examine the regulatory frameworks applying in the energy
sector in the context of new products and services
a. AEMC second interim report (COMPLETED)
a. Aug 2014
b. Final report to the Energy Council (COMPLETED)
b. Mar 2015
c. Energy Council response (IN PROGRESS)
c. Dec 2015
a. Advice to Energy Council about future direction of energy
policy
a. Dec 2015
b. Mid 2016
b. Develop implementation plan
44. Progress further work identified in the Strategic Assessment
of Network Regulation and New Products and Services work
streams (Actions 7 and 20 above)
a. Commence work on immediate priorities
a. Aug 2015
b. Update to the Energy Council on progress
b. Dec 2015
c. Advice to the Energy Council on specific reforms (short term)
c. Mid 2016
d. Advice to the Energy Council on specific reforms (long term)
d. End 2016
45. Investigate means to improve transparency in the
assessment, approval and regulation of resources
development, including mining, petroleum and
unconventional gas across jurisdictions
a. Undertake transparency workshop with government
agencies, industry and other key stakeholders (COMPLETED)
a. May 2015
46. Implement the Mineral and Energy Resources Program of
Work
a. Develop implementation plan (IN PROGRESS)
a. Jul 2015
b. Bi-annual reporting to the Energy Council (ONGOING)
b. Ongoing
47. Annual report on implementation of the Multiple Land Use
Framework (MLUF)
a. First MLUF annual report to Council (COMPLETED)
a. Dec 2014
b. Annual report on implementation of the harmonised
framework for natural gas from coal seams (ONGOING)
b. Ongoing
c. Dec 2015
c. Second MLUF annual report to Council
Petroleum Regulatory Reform
To progress consistent upstream petroleum administration and
regulation standards ( including through the establishment of a
National Offshore Petroleum Regulator and responding to the
Productivity Commission Review of Regulatory Burden on
Upstream Petroleum Sector)
Exploration and
Investment
Gas Emergency
Response
Mineral Exploration Investment
To promote Australia internationally as the preferred destination
for investment in mineral exploration and reverse the decline in
Australia’s share of global mineral exploration expenditure
National Gas Emergency Response Protocol
To maintain the integrity of the gas supply system in the event of
gas supply shortages that affect two or more jurisdictions and to
mitigate their effect
48. Transitional arrangements and implementation of
petroleum regulatory reform
a. Update of Joint Authority Protocols to reflect current
operational processes (COMPLETED)
a. Jul 2015
49. Implement the National Mineral Exploration Strategy and
UNCOVER initiative in order to discover major new
economic mineral deposits beneath post-mineralisation
cover
a. UNCOVER Roadmap Phase I Report Launch (COMPLETED)
a. Jul 2015
b. Phase II Planning
b. End 2015
50. Implement the Mineral Exploration Investment Attraction
Plan including the annual international promotion program
for Australia Minerals
a. Korea-Australia Mineral Exploration Investment Seminar
a. Oct 2015
b. Japan-Australia Mineral Exploration Investment Seminar
b. Oct 2015
c. China-Australia Mineral Exploration Investment Forum
c. Oct 2015
d. China Mining Booth and Seminar
d. Oct 2015
e. Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Pavilion
and Seminar
e. Mar 2016
a. 23rd NGERAC Meeting (COMPLETED)
a. May 2015
b. Conduct and report on Gas Supply Shortfall Emergency
Management Mobilisation Exercise (COMPLETED)
b. Jun 2015
51. Provide advice to the National Gas Emergency Response
Advisory Committee on avenues available to manage the
security of gas supply and curtailment during emergencies
c. Jun 2015
c. Update Gas Contingency Planning Report (COMPLETED)
Page 6 of 7
Key Theme
Oil Security
Key Objective + Outcome for Consumers
National Liquid Fuel Emergency Response Plan
To ensure that in the event of a severe national shortage of fuel,
available fuel supply is managed, fuel is allocated in the most
efficient and fair way and the impacts of any shortage on fuel
users is minimised
Key Actions
52. Provide advice to the National Oil Supplies Emergency
Committee on ways to improve the National Liquid Fuel
Emergency Response Plan (NLFERP) and emergency
preparedness
Key Milestones and Status
Delivery Timeframe
a. Monitor Review of Competition Law for implications on
protocols and arrangements (COMPLETED)
a. Jun 2015
b. Develop policy for the utilisation of fuel outside normal
Australian standards for inclusion in the NLFERP
(COMPLETED)
c. Jun 2015
b. Jun 2015
c. Monitor impact of changes in liquid fuel markets and identify
key implications (COMPLETED)
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