19/5/2009 Consumer
Advocacy Panel 2007/8 Annual Report |
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The Anual
Report and Financial Statements for the Consumer Advocacy Panel
for financial year 2007/8 has been published as a separate appendix
to the AEMC Annual Report, and can be downloaded from
the AEMC Publications Page on its website. |
18/5/2009 Panel-Initiated
Research - call for applications |
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The Consumer Advocacy Panel invites applications from interested
individuals or organisations to submit a grant application
for one of the following projects to be funded through the
Panel-Initiated Research Program - please click on the title
to see the relevant information:
- Gas
prices: a grant of up to $35,000 (exc GST) to produce
a report outlining the likely scenarios and impact of increased
gas prices in the NEM;
- Rural
energy issues in NSW and Queensland : a grant of up
to $65,000 (exc GST) to undertake research on rural and
regional energy consumer issues in NSW and Queensland.
Grant
applications close 19 June 2009.
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24/4/2009 New
approach to resourcing consumer advocacy |
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At
its meeting on 8 April 2009, the Consumer Advocacy Panel approved
a new funding model for more established consumer organisations
with existing experience and expertise. The
Panel intends to trial and evaluate the model in 2009/10 with
the
Major Energy Users Inc (MEU) and the Energy Users Association
of Australia (EUAA).
The
new approach helps established advocates develop a pipeline
of projects relating to decisions of importance to their members
or constituency, and reduces the administrative burden for
applicants.
The
Panel's announcement
provides details on the features of the model.
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24/4/2009 Panel
update |
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Summary
of funding decisions made in 2008/09 as at 24 April 2009.
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24/4/2009 Consumer
Advocacy Panel 2009/10 Budget |
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The
Ministerial Council on Energy has approved a total budget
of $2,767,294 (exclusive of GST) for the Consumer Advocacy
Panel for 2009/10. That total budget incorporates $2,195,294
for the electricity component funded by NEMMCO, and $572,000
for the gas component, provided by the Australian Energy Market
Commission.
A
memo to Panel stakeholders outlining the program allocations
is available here.
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21/4/2009 Panel
Research Agenda 2008/9 - for stakeholder comment |
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T
he Panel has released a discussion
paper outlining the Panel-initiated research agenda, detailing
the purpose and criteria for determining research projects.
The Paper also proposes some priority research projects for
consideration by the Panel's key stakeholders.
The
Panel invites stakeholders to comment on the identified priorities,
including putting forward other preferred projects - and the
rationale for that change - where they believe there are other
projects of greater assistance to consumer advocacy organisations.
While
the Panel will finalise the research agenda at its next meeting
on 14 May 2009, it also invites interested organisations to
submit a grant application to undertake the research priorities
of gas pricing and rural consumer issues.
The
Panel requests feedback from stakeholders be received by close
of business 1 May 2009.
Submissions
should be directed to the Panel's Executive Director, Kerry
Connors , at info@advocacypanel.com.au
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13/02/2009 Call
for capacity-building applications |
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The
Consumer Advocacy Panel is seeking grant applications
for projects that build the capacity of consumer advocacy
organisations to participate in policy and regulatory decisions,
including funding of staff, for consideration at its meeting
on 8 April 2009.
While
projects have usually focused on the funding of staff
members (full and part time), the Panel also invites
consumer advocacy organisations to propose other models or
mechanisms to build capacity in their organisation.
Applications
for funding should be submitted by close
of business 20 March 2009. Grant applications
should be submitted electronically to info@advocacypanel.com.au
using the application form here.
Please
go to the "How to Apply" pages on this website for
a copy of the grant guidelines and eligibility criteria.
If you have any questions, or wish to discuss your application,
please contact Kerry Connors, Executive Director, at info@advocacypanel.com.au
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30/09/2008 Draft
2009-10 budget for stakeholder comment |
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In
accordance with the AEMC Establishment Act Regulations
2005 , the Consumer Advocacy Panel must consult with
stakeholders on the preparation of its
draft budget, including by publishing it on the website,
at least 4 weeks before the budget is finalised for submission
to the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE). The
Panel is seeking comment from stakeholders on the Draft 2009/10
Budget by close of business 24 October
2008 .
Submissions
on the Panel should be sent by email to info@advocacypanel.com.au
. Any
questions should be directed to the Panel's Executive Director,
Kerry Connors , by email to kerry.connors@advocacypanel.com.au
or by phone at 02 8296 7880.
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26/08/2008 Relocation of Panel's office |
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As from 1 September 2008 the Panel's office will operate from new premises in Sydney and the Melbourne office will be closed Click here for contact details.
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14/08/2008 Revised grant allocation criteria and application guidelines |
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As a result of feedback from SCO, the Panel has revised guideline 2.2.3 so the requirements for obtaining quotes from consultants conform with government procurement guidelines. The revised guidelines await approval from the MCE.
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12/08/2008 Advice on gaps and overlaps in advocacy |
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On 14 July the Panel sought comments from stakeholders on a report it commissioned from ACIL Tasman which sought to identify the major consumer classes, their interests and current involvement in market issues, and any gaps or overlaps in advocacy. The objective of the project is to assist the Panel in considering how its funding budget ought to be allocated in order to best promote the interests of consumers. Responses were received from the Consumer Action Law Centre, Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, Australian Council of Social Service, Major Energy Users Inc, and Total Environment Centre.
The Panel has deferred further consideration of the project pending comment from ACIL Tasman on the responses.
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31/07/2008 Appointment of Executive Director |
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Ms Kerry Connors has been appointed Executive Director of the Consumer Advocacy Panel and will take up the appointment on 1 September 2008.
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21/07/2008 Advocacy and Research Agenda for 2008/2009 |
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Following consultation with stakeholders, the Panel has published a report on the advocacy and research agenda for 2008/2009 that will provide guidance to its grant allocations.
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14/07/2008 Grant allocation criteria and application guidelines |
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At its meeting on 26 June 2008 the Panel resolved that modified grant allocation criteria and application guidelines resulting from recent consultation with stakeholders be forwarded to the MCE for approval and that a report on the consultation be posted for the information of stakeholders.
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01/07/2008 Establishment of the Consumer Advocacy Panel |
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On 1 July 2008, the Consumer Advocacy Panel was established by the Australian Energy Market Commission Establishment Act 2004, as amended, to replace the Advocacy Panel. The current members of the Panel continue in office in accordance with the Act.
The content of the website will soon be amended to reflect the provisions of the Act.
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12/05/2008 Consultation on grant allocation criteria and application guidelines |
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The panel seeks comments from stakeholders on proposed grant allocation criteria and application guidelines that it will submit to the Ministerial Council on Energy for approval for use after the Australian Energy Market Commission Establishment (Consumer Advocacy Panel) Amendment Act, 2007 commences.
Stakeholders are invited to make submissions on the proposed guidelines which should be forwarded to info@advocacypanel.com.au by 5 pm on 11 June 2008.
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21/04/2008 New funding criteria and application guidelines |
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In late 2006, the panel undertook consultation with stakeholders on revised funding criteria and application guidelines (guidelines) which resulted in the submission to the AEMC in February 2007 of proposed new guidelines. The AEMC deferred approval of the guidelines pending inclusion of information on how the effectiveness of funded projects could be evaluated.
In May 2007, the panel commenced consultation with stakeholders on a process for evaluating the effectiveness of projects which resulted in the publishing in October 2007 of a proposed evaluation process. After considering comments by stakeholders, in January 2008 the panel published the final evaluation process and in February 2008 forwarded to the AEMC for its approval guidelines amended to include the evaluation process.
On 10 April 2008, the AEMC advised that it had approved the amended guidelines subject to their amendment to include the latest wording of the national electricity objective that commenced on 1 January 2008. The guidelines are now published for the information of stakeholders.
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31/01/2008 Evaluation of the effectiveness of projects funded by the panel |
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In October 2007 the panel invited stakeholders to provide comments on a process for evaluating the effectiveness of projects. The panel appreciated the responses from stakeholders and has now determined the process that will be followed.
The objectives of the evaluation process are:
- To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of advocacy by providing specific feedback and guidance to applicants whose work is evaluated and by providing a general ‘lessons learnt’ that will be available to all applicants;
- Provide information on the effectiveness and efficiency of the panel’s funding program that will guide future funding decisions.
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14/12/2007 Advocacy Panel Strategic Plan |
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In September 2007, the panel issued for comment by stakeholders a draft strategic plan for 2007-2009. Following consideration of submissions by stakeholders, the panel has issued a report and a revised strategic plan.
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Click here to view all news and updates |
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