In 2016, the five Victorian electricity distribution networks (CitiPower, Powercor Australia, United Energy, Jemena Electricity Networks and AusNet Electricity Services) challenged the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) determination for their five-yearly revenue allowances. The merits review cases are being heard by the Australian Competition Tribunal (ACT 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 of 2016).

Following a decision of the Full Federal Court in a related electricity network revenue case, Energy Consumers Australia applied to the Tribunal to make arguments about the impacts of that decision for the Victorian matters. ECA was granted leave to make submissions, which address two issues: the meaning of key phrases in the National Electricity Law (such as ‘materially preferable’ and ‘long term interest of consumers’) and a financial parameter related to the value of tax deductions to a network’s investors (known as ‘gamma’).

The full submission can be read here.