21/12/2011 Annual Report published more |
|
The Consumer Advocacy Panel's Annual Report and Financial Statements are published as an appendix to the AEMC Annual Report, which was tabled in the South Australian Parliament on 1 December 2011. The Panel's Annual Report is at Appendix One of the AEMC report, and can be accessed here. |
12/12/2011 Call for Research grant applications more |
|
|
The Panel is now inviting applications from individuals and organisations with the requisite expertise to submit grant applications to undertake
- research on one of the priorities identified by the panel (see attachment)
- research on another issue of benefit to electricity and/or gas consumers in the National Energy Market
Applicants should submit a grant application form to info@advocacypanel.com.au by close of business 28 January 2012.
The application form and guidelines can be obtained by clicking here. Applicants are advised to read the guidelines carefully and are encouraged to contact Executive Director Kerry Connors via the email address above or telephone should they have any questions.
|
24/11/2011 CAPtions issue 5 published more |
|
To read the latest issue (no. 5, November 2011) of CAPtions - our quarterly newsletter - please click here. |
31/08/2011 Draft 2012-13 Budget for Stakeholder Consultation |
|
| The Panel has now finalised its Draft 2012-2013 Consumer Advocacy Panel budget ready for comment. In accordance with the AEMC Establishment Act Regulations 2005, the Consumer Advocacy Panel is now consulting with stakeholders on the preparation of the draft budget, including by publishing it on its website before the budget is finalised for submission to the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE). To download a copy of the Draft 2012-2013 Budget, please click here.
The Panel is seeking comment from stakeholders on the Draft 2012/13 Budget by close of business 19 September 2011.
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.auor by phone at 02 8296 7880.
|
18/08/2011 CAPtions Issue 4 published more |
|
|
Click here for the August 2011 edition of CAPtions, our quarterly e-newsletter.
|
20/7/2011 Summary of 2010/11 Grants Update more |
|
|
Attached is a summary of grants approved by the Panel in the 2010/11 financial year.
|
07/07/2011 New Grant Allocation and Application Guidelines more |
|
|
The Ministerial Council on Energy has approved amendment to the Panel's Grant Allocation and Application Guidelines to reflect changes to the review procedure.
The new procedure requries grant applicants to inform the Panel whether any grant output will be a report - submissions, media releases, or briefing notes are not considered reports for this purpose. Where a report will be published, an MCE jurisdiction may indicate its intention to review the report for technical or factual error. Grant recipients will then be asked to provide the draft final report to the Panel to convey to the MCE 11 business days before publication.
This process will apply to all new grant agreements issued by the Panel after 4 July 2011. Grant recipients with agreements before that date should comply with their obligations under the existing agreement.
The new Guidelines and Application Form have been uploaded onto the Panel's website, on the "How to Apply" page.
|
10/05/2011 Evaluation
of 2009/10 Consumer Advocacy Panel grants |
|
|
The
Panel commissions an independent evaluation of a selection
of grants in any financial year, and publishes them on its
website. The
purpose of the evaluation is 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'
available to all applicants;
- provide
information on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Panel's
grant allocation program.
The
Allen Consulting Group has finalised its evaluation
of 2009/10 grants which identified the following thematic
findings
- the
importance of effective targeting of advocacy efforts
- sound
project management and performance reporting
- the
pace of change in the energy sector means consumer advocacy
organisations - and the Panel - must have systems in place
that enable changes to be made when required
- benefits
of topic expertise, when necessary seeking external expertise
|
2/5/2011 Consumer
Advocacy Panel Strategic Plan 2011-2013 |
|
|
The Consumer Advocacy
Panel met on 9 March 2011 to review its strategic plan for
2010-2013. The Panel considered its purpose, value and vision
and has confirmed the key result areas for 2011-2013, which
are outlined in the attached.
Any stakeholder comments on the Strategic Plan are welcomed.
|
10/2/2011 New
edition of CAPtions published more |
|
|
Click here
for the most recent edition of CAPtions,
the Panel's quarterly newsletter, which outlines the impact
of grants provided to St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria,
Tasmanian Council of Social Service and the Consumer Action
Law Centre, and details forthcoming opportunities for advocacy.
|
27/1/11 Panel
research agenda more |
|
The
Panel invites individuals and
organisations with the requisite expertise to submit grant applications
to undertake
- research
on one of the priorities identified by the Panel in its
2010/11 research agenda
- research
on another issue of benefit to electricity and/or gas consumers
in the National Energy Market.
The
Panel commissioned expert independent advice from the Allen
Consulting Group (ACG) on the priority consumer energy issues.
The detailed report is available for download at the Panel's
website here.
Applications
are due close of business 28 February 2011.
|
16/12/2010 Panel
Newsletter |
|
|
We
are pleased to publish the first edition of CAPtions
- the Panel's quarterly e-newsletter, which amongst other
information, contains a list of forthcoming advocacy opportunities
and stories from Consumer Advocacy Panel grant recipients.
To
subscribe, please send an email to info@advocacypanel.com.au
with your name and email address.
|
2/12/10 Consumer
Advocacy Panel Annual Report 2009/10 |
|
The Consumer
Advocacy Panel Annual Report 2009/10 can be downloaded here,
and the Financial Statements are available here |
26/10/10 Consumer
Advocacy Panel 2010-2013 Strategic Plan |
|
|
The
Panel has finalised its 2010-2013
strategic plan.
The
Plan articulates the Panel’s purpose, vision, values
and strategic priorities. In its development of the
strategic plan, beginning in March 2010, the Panel undertook
an assessment of likely demand over the next three years,
which it thought may be of interest to stakeholders and can
be downloaded here.
|
26/10/2010 Evaluation
of 2008/09 Grants and the new advocacy funding model |
|
|
The
Panel commissions an independent evaluation of a selection
of grants in any financial year, and publishes them on its
website. The
purpose of the evaluation is 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'
available to all applicants;
- provide
information on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Panel's
grant allocation program.
The
evaluation
of 2008/09
grants highlighted
the features of successful advocacy projects, such as projects
that were well-targeted, leveraged from partnerships, directly
addressed the terms of reference for the review, and used
external consultants effectively and efficiently.
The evaluation
of the 2009/10 funding model endorsed the effectiveness
of the model in supporting advocacy for the benefit of national
electricity and gas consumers.
The Panel has commissioned
a formal independent evaluation of a selection of 2009/10 grants,
which will also be published on the Panel's website.
|
03/09/2010 Consumer
Advocacy Panel draft 2011/12 budget for stakeholder comments |
|
|
The Panel invites
consultation from stakeholders on its draft budget for 2011/12.
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,
before the budget is finalised for submission to the Ministerial
Council on Energy (MCE). The Panel
is seeking comment from stakeholders on the Draft 2011/12
Budget by close of business 24 September
2010.
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.
|
29/6/2010 New
procedure applying to Panel grants from 10 June 2010 more |
|
|
This
applies to all grants approved from 10 June 2010, as well
as the 2010/11 capacity building and advocacy funding grants.
On
30 May 2010, the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) requested
the Panel implement the following procedure immediately:
- Any
report or submission funded through a Panel grant is sent
to the Panel before its public release in any form;
- The
Panel will then send the document to the MCE Secretariat,
for circulation to relevant MCE members for information
and any comment in relation to matters of fact, data and
related calculations
-
If no comments are received within 10 business days the
report or submission can be released.
- Any
comments will be emailed to the grant recipient by the Panel
-
Where comments are not accepted, the report or
submission authors must provide an explanation for rejecting
the proposal in the document.
In
its advice to the Panel, the MCE stressed that this process
is not intended to and will not lead to any form of censorship
of Panel-funded reports. It only relates to technical and
factual data and does not enable any editorial changes to
the reports or submissions.
The
Panel's role in this process is solely as a mailbox – it will
not provide any comment on the content of any documents being
sent to either the MCE Secretariat or to grant recipients.
The
Panel is reviewing its systems to implement the new requirement.
The Panel has amended the funding
agreement, and is revising its grant allocation and application
guidelines and application form. Those will be posted on the
website on approval by the MCE.
Please
see attached
for more information about the new procedure.
|
29/6/2010 June
2010 Update |
|
Attached
is a summary of grant applications and approvals made to date
in 2010/11. |
30/3/2010 Invitation
to submit grant applications for Panel Research Agenda 2009/10 more |
|
|
The Consumer Advocacy
Panel is inviting grant applications to undertake research
on the two priorities identified in its 2009/10 research agenda:
1. Identifying rural and regional consumer issues in the National
Energy Market (NEM); and
2. Convening a masterclass for consumer organisations on distribution
network pricing.
Applications are
sought by close of business
2 May 2010.
More information on the research priorities
and process for application is available here.
|
18/3/2010 Panel-Initiated
Research: Gas Pricing - Cost Drivers and Scenarios for Future
Price Directions |
|
|
In
July 2009, the Consumer Advocacy Panel provided a Panel-Initiated
Research grant to Engineroom Consulting to undertake research
on future gas prices.
The
report provides information to consumer advocacy organisations
on the cost drivers for gas prices, and identifies the
conditions in which they will push prices upwards. Engineroom
Consulting's report is in two parts:
- Part
1 describes the different functional levels of the gas supply
chain and identifies the cost drivers for each level. It
then summarises current market costs, and shows the breakdown
of these costs by functional level. Finally, it discusses
the current supply-demand balance in gas markets around
Australia;
- Part
2 identifies the likely scenarios affecting gas prices over
the medium term (5 to 10 years), and their possible
impact on delivered gas prices for various customer classes.
Engineroom
Consulting's research report can be downloaded here.
This
is the second report funded through the Panel-initiated research
grants program.
|
18/3/2010 March
2010 Update - 2009/10 Grant applications and approvals more |
|
Attached
is a summary of grant applications and approvals made to date
in 2009/10. |
02/2/2010 Call
for grant applications for capacity-building |
|
|
The
Consumer Advocacy Panel is inviting applications from consumer
advocacy organisations for advocacy/capacity-building grants.
Applicants
should read carefully the Panel’s application guidelines,
and ensure their application form clearly outlines the outputs
and outcomes that relate to the capacity that will be built
in your organisation, in addition to any advocacy and/or research
outputs.
Applications
are due by close of business
Friday 19 March 2010. The Executive
Director can be contacted at info@advocacypanel.com.au to
answer any queries about the application process.
|
02/2/2010 Panel
research agenda 2009/10 |
|
|
The Consumer Advocacy
Panel has released a discussion
paper seeking comments from stakeholders on the Panel's
2009/10 research agenda.
The Consumer Advocacy Panel has identified two research priorities
for 2009/10:
- research addressing the needs of rural and regional energy
consumers; and
- research to enhance the capacity of consumer advocacy
organisations to participate effectively in distribution
network price reviews.
Stakeholders are
invited 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;
and propose specific research projects that would improve
advocacy on behalf of rural and regional consumers.
Comments should be provided by email by close
of business 27 February 2010.
|
02/2/2010 Consumer
Advocacy Panel Stakeholder Forum: report |
|
|
On
12 October 2009, the Consumer Advocacy Panel convened a stakeholder
forum, Mapping consumer energy issues 2009-2014
in Melbourne. Just over fifty people from all
of the Panel's key stakeholder groups participated in the
day's discussions: consumer advocacy organisations, environmental
agencies, commonwealth and jurisdictional government officials,
regulators, industry peak bodies, and ombudsman.
The
objectives of the workshop were to
- identify
future priority consumer energy issues and opportunities
for advocacy in policy and regulatory processes, incorporating
perspectives from the range of Panel stakeholders; and
- inform
Forum participants of the views and priority consumer energy
issues of the range of key stakeholders.
The
proceedings of the Forum, prepared by Etrog Consulting who
facilitated the day's discussions, are available here.
|
21/12/2009 Consumer
Advocacy Panel 2008/09 Annual Report |
|
The Annual
Report for the Consumer Advocacy Panel for financial year
2008/09 was published today as a separate appendix to the AEMC
Annual Report. The Panel's Financial Statements are included
in the AEMC Financial Statements and can be seen here.
|
14/10/09 Draft
2010/11 Budget |
|
|
The Panel invites
consultation from stakeholders on its draft budget for 2010/11.
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,
before the budget is finalised for submission to the Ministerial
Council on Energy (MCE). The Panel
is seeking comment from stakeholders on the Draft 20010/11
Budget by 12 noon 11 November 2009.
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.
|
17/8/2009 Strategic
Plan 2009-2012 more |
|
The Panel
has reviewed its strategic plan for 2009-12, developing strategic
objectives for 2009-10, which can be viewed here. |
19/5/2009 Consumer
Advocacy Panel 2007/8 Annual Report |
|
The Annual
Report and Financial Statements for the Consumer Advocacy Panel
for financial year 2007/8 was published as a separate appendix
to the AEMC Annual Report. It can be viewed here. |
18/5/2009 Panel-Initiated
Research - call for applications |
|
|
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.
|
24/4/2009 New
approach to resourcing consumer advocacy |
|
|
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.
|
24/4/2009 Panel
update |
|
Summary
of funding decisions made in 2008/09 as at 24 April 2009.
|
24/4/2009 Consumer
Advocacy Panel 2009/10 Budget |
|
|
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
Operator.
|
21/4/2009 Panel
Research Agenda 2008/9 - for stakeholder comment |
|
|
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
.
|
13/02/2009 Call
for capacity-building applications |
|
|
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
|
30/09/2008 Draft
2009-10 budget for stakeholder comment |
|
|
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.
|
26/08/2008 Relocation of Panel's office |
|
|
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.
|
14/08/2008 Revised grant allocation criteria and application guidelines |
|
|
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.
|
12/08/2008 Advice on gaps and overlaps in advocacy |
|
|
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.
|
31/07/2008 Appointment of Executive Director |
|
|
Ms Kerry Connors has been appointed Executive Director of the Consumer Advocacy Panel and will take up the appointment on 1 September 2008.
|
21/07/2008 Advocacy and Research Agenda for 2008/2009 |
|
|
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.
|
14/07/2008 Grant allocation criteria and application guidelines |
|
|
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.
|
01/07/2008 Establishment of the Consumer Advocacy Panel |
|
|
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.
|
12/05/2008 Consultation on grant allocation criteria and application guidelines |
|
|
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 p.m. on 11 June 2008.
|
21/04/2008 New funding criteria and application guidelines |
|
|
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.
|
31/01/2008 Evaluation of the effectiveness of projects funded by the panel |
|
|
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.
|
14/12/2007 Advocacy Panel Strategic Plan more |
|
In September 2007, the Panel issued for comment by stakeholders a strategic drat plan for 2007-2009. Following consideration of submissions by stakeholders, the Panel has issued a report and a revised strategic plan. |
Click here to view all news and updates |
|
|
|
| |