Why it’s important: Australia needs more concerted action to get back on track to meet climate targets
The expanded remit for the SEC drew a sceptical response from energy users, experts and retailers. Andrew Richards, head of the Energy Users Association of Victoria, whose members include BHP, Tomago Aluminium, Alcoa, Shell, Asahi, Coles and BlueScope Steel, said, “on the surface more competition is a good thing and if they are able to arrange contracts for firm clean supply it would be a good outcome”.
, which Labor won with an increased majority, and now involves a more substantial reversal of the electricity sector privatisation started by the Kennett government in the 1990s. Grattan Institute energy program director Tony Wood said the SEC was supposed to be a commercial organisation committed to “competitive neutrality”, so “why on earth would they do something the private sector wouldn’t do?”
Sarah McNamara, head of the Australian Energy Council which represents large retailers, said: “Today’s announcement will see the SEC competing with the broad range of government and privately owned entities currently selling electricity to large customers in Victoria.