Functions

IPART has seven core functions which are conferred by legislation and by codes and access regimes established by legislation. These functions are:

1. To set maximum prices for monopoly services provided by government agencies in NSW
2. To regulate revenues and/or prices of electricity networks under the National Electricity Rule and Electricity Legislation
3. To regulate Natural Gas pricing and third party access to Gas Networks
4. To administer the licensing or authorisation of Water, Electricity and Gas utilities, and to monitor their compliance with their licence or authorisation
5. To register agreements for access to public infrastructure assets and arbitrate disputes about these agreements
6. To investigate complaints about competitive neutrality referred by the Government
7. To administer the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme and its Register of Abatement Certificates

In addition, IPART can be asked to:

• Advise the NSW Government or its agencies on issues such as pricing, efficiency, industry structure and competition
• Assist other Australian regulators and government bodies on a fee for service basis

IPART's functions in relation to Water, Electricity and Gas mean that it provides an integrated system of economic regulation and licence regulation in NSW that covers both pricing and standards of service.

IPART's purpose and goals

IPART's specific purpose varies according to the different regulatory arrangements that are in place in the industries it regulates. However, in general, its goals include:

• The regulation of monopoly utility prices
• The promotion of competition in regulated industries
• The protection of consumers by ensuring the quality and reliability of regulated services and careful consideration of the social impacts of its decisions
• The monitoring the way utilities comply with their licence obligations
• The encouragement of economic efficiency and reinvestment in infrastructure
• The encouragement of environmental sustainability
• The promotion of a stable regulatory environment

The legislation under which IPART is constituted stipulates that in relation to the content of its determinations and recommendations, it is not subject to the control or direction of any government minister. This provision ensures that IPART is able to pursue these goals through rational, objective processes and that its decisions are not influenced by political interests.

Membership

The Tribunal comprises up to three permanent members and three temporary members, all of whom are appointed by the NSW Premier.

Permanent Members

Dr Michael Keating, AC
Mr James Cox, BSc (Econ) (Hons), MA (Econ)
Ms Sibylle Krieger

Temporary Members

Mr David Brett, MBA, B Econ, BA, BRTP (Hons)

Competitive neutrality

Click here for further information on IPART's role in relation to Competitive neutrality.

Register of declarations

Click here for further information on Government monopoly services.

Submissions

Click Here for information on how to send a submission to IPART.