1. Resourcing Consumer Engagement
Roundtable 1/3/19

3. We have 3 Questions – or you shall no pass
Question 1: What are the possible resourcing options and funding models for consumer engagement with network businesses, regulators and other stakeholders (in relation to network issues)?
Question 2: What are the costs of the various resourcing options?
Question 3: What are the indicative benefits of the various resourcing options?

4. Functions of consumer groups
Provide advice and challenge Network Regulatory proposals, in development.
Advise AER on Regulatory Proposals
Policy Advice to businesses, government and market bodies
Raising Issues (up)
Information dissemination to members / constituents / base
Input to formal processes: forums, workshops
Links between various stakeholders
Research: consumer related and other
Advocacy
Garner consumer expertise

5. Funding models ECA grants, through levy
National Market Bodies: AER, AEMC, AEMO
Commonwealth, including COAG EC
State Governemnts
State Regulators
Network Businesses
ARENA
Philanthropy / public and individual
Own Source

6. Consumer Representative Groups
Community service groups
Peak bodies (NGO’s)
Consumer Perspective Groups (eg Customer Forum, CCP)
SME’s
Commercial and Industrial
Agribusiness
Rural /Regional boards and agencies
Local Government

7. Who here gets funding from various sources? (towards a Map)
ECA grants, through levy
National Market Bodies: AER, AEMC, AEMO
Commonwealth, including COAG EC
State Governemnts
State Regulators
Network Businesses
Philanthropy / public and individual
Own Source

8. Principles for effective consumer engagement

9. Continuous improvement
Characteristic
Description
Transparent
Engagement processes (inputs and decisions) must be transparent not only to those participating in the process but the broader stakeholder base.
Embedded
It must be embedded within business as usual practices and form part of a businesses ongoing activity.
Representative
Participants in engagement processes must be seen to be able to represent the interests of relevant consumer groups or consumers at large.
Accountable
Network businesses must be accountable for how they use or do not use any insights and input from consumer engagement processes.
Tailored
Engagement processes must be fit for purpose for each business and tailored to meet specific business needs and circumstances.
Independent
Consumers and consumer representatives who are participants in engagement processes must be independent from the network business.
Evidence based
Where possible information and decisions must be evidence based and objective.
Well resourced
Consumer engagement must be appropriately resourced, noting that resourcing must be proportional to the value being discussed and the key issues or materiality of the issues.
Two-way
Engagement processes must be centred on honest and transparent two-way dialogue.
Makes an impact
Consumer input must be seen to make an impact and influence business decision making.
Continuous improvement
Consumer engagement processes must be able to adapt and evolve as required. This also included ensuring business culture and behaviours change in response to changing circumstances. Consumer engagement must be a dynamic and ongoing process that seeks the best outcomes for consumers in any given context, time and place.

10. Tests for Consumer Benefit “Fairness for the Future – Sustainable License to Operate” - Sustainability First, UK
Pillar 1: Public purpose, philosophy and public service values Company statements Pillar 2: Making best use of different types of capital Decision making framework; competition, cooperation, capital Pillar 3: Roles and responsibilities Compacts for fairness Pillar 4: Strategy and narratives Honest, consistent, comparable reporting

11. Current and recent examples of un(der) funded expectations
Energy Charter
DER
AEMO eg ISP, REZ, etc
AEMC: Strategic Priorities, rule changes
AER: Frameworks and Guidelines
COAG EC, various
Data right (ACCC)

12. Who should contribute more? Prefered Funding Models
Resourcing Models
Is more needed?
Who should contribute more?
Prefered Funding Models