The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has consulted publicly on how it assesses information and communication technology (ICT) expenditure by network businesses.

We agree that there are two tasks in ensuring that expenditure on ICT is in the long-term interests of consumers:

• it is critical that the AER considers whether their assessment framework for ICT expenditure by distribution network remains fit for purpose; and
• ensuring that any approach implemented by the AER enables distribution networks to demonstrate how a proposal reflects consumer expectations, and that the proposed ICT costs are in the long-term interests of consumers and are the prudent and efficient costs of delivering the network service.

The full submission can be read here.