ENERGY network businesses leading the way in improving customer outcomes were recognised last night at the Energy Networks Australia 2018 Annual Awards.

Energy Networks Australia CEO Andrew Dillon said Australian networks were focused on modernising while keeping prices down and so it was imperative to continually seek new and innovative ways to manage networks and keep the customer at the centre of decision making.

The winner of the Energy Networks Australia and Energy Consumers Australia 2018 Consumer Engagement Award, Essential Energy (NSW), was the unanimous choice of the judging panel for its 2019-24 Regulatory Proposal customer engagement program.

Energy Consumers Australia CEO Rosemary Sinclair presented the award, saying that embracing consumers as partners in change to drive down electricity prices was a critical part of building a new culture in the energy sector.

“Rebuilding trust with consumers in the energy sector will take time and must come from the top – the leading businesses are entering into a new dialogue with consumers and taking responsibility for the issues they’re raising to deliver more affordable outcomes," Ms Sinclair said.

“The winner showed they had proactively engaged with their consumers to better reflect their views and priorities and allow that to shape services.

“This award is a great way for networks to showcase the work they are doing to change the culture in the industry and better incorporate the value of the customer’s voice in all aspects of their business.”

Western Power (WA) received a highly commended from the judges for its Kalbarri Microgrid project.

Other finalists were SA Power Networks (SA), TransGrid (NSW) and the joint Victorian distribution businesses.

INNOVATION AWARD

Federal Energy Minister, Angus Taylor MP, presented the Energy Networks Industry Innovation Award to TasNetworks for its CONSORT Bruny Island battery trial.

Energy Networks Australia CEO Andrew Dillon congratulated Essential Energy and TasNetworks for the different ways they had shown leadership and helped solve some of the industry’s most complex challenges.

“TasNetworks has shown how to carry out smart coordination of solar and batteries, which has large economic and environmental benefits by allowing more renewable energy to connect, increasing grid stability and opening new markets,” Mr Dillon said.

Funded by ARENA, the TasNetworks project had a number of partners including the Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Tasmania and Reposit Power.

Runner-up for the Industry Innovation Award was Jemena, for its demand response trial: power chargers.

Other finalists were Essential Energy (NSW) and Evoenergy (ACT).

INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION

Mr Dillon also congratulated Powerlink’s general manager for network regulation, Jennifer Harris, winner of the 2018 Industry Contribution Award for her substantial contribution to the industry over several years.

“This award recognises Jenny’s significant contribution to our industry and her clear focus on the customer driven transformation of our networks,” he said.

Energy Networks Australia represents Australia’s electricity transmission and distribution networks and gas distribution networks. Its members provide energy to virtually every household and business in Australia. Energy Consumers Australia is the national voice for residential and small business energy consumers. Established by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2015, its objective is to promote the long-term interests of consumers with respect to price, quality, reliability, safety and security of supply.

www.energynetworks.com.au

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said that following the announcement by the New Zealand Associate Minister of Health, Jenny Salesa, to legalise vaping and nicotine e-cigarettes, Australia will soon sit behind more than 60 other countries in continuing to ban the alternatives to traditional tobacco products.

The announcement by Associate Minister Salesa last Friday emphasised that legalising vaping will enhance product quality and safety and assist low-income earners, who have some of the highest smoking rates, to switch to a cheaper and less harmful alternative.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said that it was past-time that the Health Minister, Greg Hunt MP, dropped his personal opposition to legalising nicotine e-cigarettes in Australia, and followed the lead of our international counterparts.

“The Health Minister is standing in the way of a path towards better health outcomes for long-term smokers, due to a personal opposition to all forms of tobacco,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We call on the Minister to put his personal convictions aside for the benefit of Australians, and listen to our counterparts across the Tasman, who have clearly stated that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking.”

In August, the CSIRO’s E-cigarettes, smoking and health (the report) literature review indicated that e-cigarettes can assist some smokers in quitting traditional cigarettes. The report also provided evidence for a range of health improvements when conventional tobacco smokers make the switch.

“According to the CSIRO’s findings, it is clear that e-cigarettes are preferred by some smokers as a cessation method. Trials have found nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective at reducing conventional smoking than nicotine free e-cigarettes or no e-cigarettes,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The Government should listen to the CSIRO and alleviate concerns about unregulated usage by allowing retailers to sell nicotine e-cigarettes legally.”

Along with the CSIRO’s report, a Crosby Textor poll conducted in June found almost 50 percent of Australians and more than two thirds of smokers support the legalisation of e-cigarettes and personal vaporisers in Australia.

“The Crosby Textor poll showed that 70 percent of Australians and 67 percent of smokers agreed that vaporisers were a way to completely phase out cigarette smoking in Australia,” Mr Zimmerman said.

With New Zealand legalising the sale of nicotine e-cigarettes, Australia will now sit behind over 60 countries, including most of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and several Asian nations, giving consumers ample options to circumvent local restrictions and import vaping products from overseas.

“When restrictions force consumers to import these products, rather than purchase them legally at home, consumers are exposed to the risk of unregulated and potentially unsafe products,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The number of people who are already importing nicotine-based e-cigarettes from overseas is growing, giving offshore retailers a significant advantage and translating into a significant loss of revenue for Australian retailers.

“Allowing retailers the opportunity to sell these harm reduction alternatives is a win-win, as it provides health benefits for the community, and economic benefits, including a reduced burden on the health system and crucial support for local retailers.”

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak industry body, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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RETAILERS in New South Wales (NSW) will have an extra reason to celebrate this Christmas after the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) secured a major win for retail tenancy in the state.

The ARA and major industry leaders the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA), along with other industry bodies, are behind the development of the landmark Retail Industry Code of Practice – The Reporting of Sales and Occupancy Costs (the Code). 

An outcome of the 2016 review of the Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW), the Code marks a major power shift back to retailers, as shopping centre landlords will now have an obligation to provide benchmark information to their tenants where retailers provide sales data.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said that from January 1, 2019, the Code will ensure that retailers will have the ability to access information on sales reporting and occupancy costs, improving transparency and accountability.

“This landmark achievement for retailers in NSW will provide vital information to tenants in shopping centres, allowing them to better-understand the real value of their leases,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The implementation of this Code will help to give some power back to retail tenants and give them some added certainty when it comes to negotiating with their landlords.”

The Code has also been agreed to by the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) and will be implemented next year. Shopping centres will have a six-month transitional period to July 1, 2019 to sign-up and implement the Code.

Mr Zimmerman said the reform could not have been possible without the support of the PGA, along with the Deputy Premier of NSW, John Barilaro, who championed the reforms.

“The ARA is grateful to our friends and partners at the PGA for their continued advocacy, not only on behalf of their own members, but for the benefit of the entire industry,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We will be working to implement this Code nationally over the medium-term, and with rising costs, increasing competition and patchy sales growth creating some headwinds for retailers, big wins like this can make a substantial difference.”

To view a copy of the Code, click here.

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak industry body, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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THE Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training has today tabled its report, Australian Government Funding Arrangements for non-NHMRC research.

The report identifies ways to simplify research funding application and assessment processes, particularly for university researchers.

Committee chair Andrew Laming MP said, "Australian researchers spend a great deal of time and effort applying for competitive research funding.  Time spent applying for research funding, is less time available to conduct world-class research."\

The Committee has made 15 recommendations in its report.  The key recommendation is the introduction of a central online research management system for all Commonwealth grant programs, and a two-stage application process which favours the strength and merit of research ideas.

Mr Laming said, "The Committee’s recommendations aim to reduce the large volume of information required to support a research funding application. The recommendations emphasise the need to make use of existing data sources and information, improve document uniformity, and level the playing field for under-represented researchers.  This includes early and mid-career researchers, women, minority groups, Indigenous researchers and rural and regional universities."

The report also calls for a more strategic approach to Australia’s research investment, including investment and participation in international research funds.

The Committee received 97 submissions to its inquiry, and held four public hearings in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.  Further information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference, is available on the Committee website.

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