Boards and Committees

During the 2005-06 financial year, the Authority was responsible for several committees and was also involved in a number of independent constituted committees. A brief overview of these committees and the Authority’s role on each is given below.

Authority Committees

Economic Regulation Authority Consumer Consultative Committee

The Economic Regulation Authority Consumer Consultative Committee (ERACCC) was established by the Authority in 2005 to facilitate the exchange of information between the Authority and consumers on regulatory issues in the gas, electricity, water and rail industries.

The purpose of the ERACCC is to provide:

  • comment to the Authority on issues affecting consumers that fall within the scope of the Authority’s administration of the Economic Regulation Authority Act 2003; and
  • tangible outcomes for consumers through work that members undertake in partnership with other members and the Authority.

The ERACCC comprises an Authority Member, Mr Chris Field (Chair) and the following members from community, consumer and stakeholder groups:

  • Ms Cara Babb/Ms Shona Zulsdorf - Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (Inc);
  • Dr Ray Wills - Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA;
  • Mr Damian Stone (replaced Joe Lenzo March 2006) - Property Council of Australia;
  • Ms Yvonne Lawrence - Country Women’s Association of WA (Inc);
  • Mr Dale Park - WA Farmers Federation;
  • Ms Bindi Thomson - Pastoralists & Graziers Association of WA (Inc);
  • Ms Lisa Baker / Ms Kate Mills - WA Council of Social Service (Inc);
  • Ms Genette Keating - Consumers Association of Western Australia;
  • Ms Su Mahalingham - Consumer Credit Legal Service (WA) Inc; and
  • Vacant (previous representative Lisa Scaffidi) - Western Australian Local Government Association.

In addition, the ERACCC has two observers:

  • Ms Deirdre O’Donnell - State Ombudsman; and
  • Mr Gary Newcombe - Department of Consumer and Employment Protection.

The ERACCC met four times during the year. Highlights for the period included:

  • a presentation from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet on the potential establishment of a Water Ombudsman in WA; and
  • discussion with Authority staff regarding topics such as issues facing the electricity industry, urban and country water and wastewater pricing, and strategic directions in licensing, monitoring and customer protection.

Gas Marketing Code Consultative Committee

The Gas Marketing Code Consultative Committee was established to:

  • advise the Authority on matters relating to the Gas Marketing Code of Conduct 2004;
  • undertake reviews of the Code of Conduct; and
  • provide advice to the Authority on proposed amendment or replacement of the Code of Conduct.

The Gas Marketing Code of Conduct 2004 specifies what gas suppliers and gas marketing agents can and cannot do when they market gas to residential and small business customers. All gas companies that market gas to these customers in Western Australia are required to comply with the code.

The Authority chairs the Committee, which includes representatives from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Western Australian Council of Social Services and each retailer that holds a gas trading licence.