On 1 July 2008, the Consumer Advocacy Panel was established by the Australian Energy Market Commission Establishment Act 2004, as amended.
Subject to the Act, the Consumer Advocacy Panel is not subject to direction by the Commission or the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) in the performance of its functions. Provision has been made for transitional arrangements regarding the former Advocacy Panel. A copy of the relevant amending legislation can be found on the MCE's website.
The Consumer Advocacy Panel's functions include determining grant allocations for consumer advocacy projects and research projects for the benefit of consumers of electricity or natural gas (or both).
The Commission will be responsible for making grants, as directed by the Consumer Advocacy Panel. More information on the Consumer Advocacy Panel's procedures is available at its website.