Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of New South Wales

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of New South Wales (IPART) is an independent regulatory and pricing tribunal that oversees regulation in water, gas, electricity and transport industries in the Australian state of New South Wales. IPART was established in 1992 by Government of New South Wales with the primary purpose of regulating the maximum prices for monopoly services by government utilities and other monopoly businesses such as public transport.

Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of New South Wales
Tribunal overview
Formed1992
TypeRegulatory and pricing tribunal
JurisdictionNew South Wales
Employees140
Annual budgetA$25 million
Minister responsible
Tribunal executives
  • Dr Peter Boxall AO,
    Chairman
  • Ed Willett,
    Permanent Member
  • Deborah Cope,
    Permanent Member
Parent TribunalDepartment of Premier and Cabinet
Key documents
  • Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992
  • Gas Supply Act 1996
  • Electricity Supply Act 1995
  • National Electricity (NSW) Law 1997
  • Transport Administration Act 1996
Websitewww.ipart.nsw.gov.au

IPART’s organisational arm or Secretariat is managed by the Chief Executive Officer. IPART has approximately 140 staff members and an annual budget of A$25 million. The current Chairman is Dr Peter Boxall AO. IPART is responsible to the Premier of New South Wales, presently Gladys Berejiklian MP.

IPART's role is set out in various pieces of state legislation including the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992, the Gas Supply Act 1996, the Electricity Supply Act 1995, the National Electricity (NSW) Law 1997 and the Transport Administration Act 1996.

Functions

IPART's core functions are conferred by legislation, rules and access regimes established by legislation. These functions are to:

  • Set maximum prices for monopoly services provided by government agencies in NSW (including water and public transport).
  • Administer licensing or authorisation of water, electricity and gas businesses, and monitor compliance with licence conditions.
  • Advise the NSW Government or its agencies on issues such as pricing, efficiency, industry structure and competition.
  • Regulate maximum electricity and gas prices that regulated energy retailers can charge to residential and small business customers.
  • Regulate private sector access to water and waste water to encourage competition and re-use.
  • Maintain a local government cost index, determine the maximum percentage increase in local government general revenue (rate peg), determine special rate variations and review Council development contributions plans.
  • Review the regulatory burden in priority industries to reduce red tape.
  • Administer the Energy Savings Scheme and associated Register of energy savings certificates.
  • Register agreements for access to public infrastructure assets and arbitrate disputes about agreements for access to public infrastructure.
  • Investigate complaints about competitive neutrality referred to us by the Government.

In addition to these functions, IPART also undertakes reviews and investigations to advise the NSW government and its agencies on a range of economic and policy issues such as pricing, efficiency, industry structure and competition.

Membership

Tribunal Members

The Tribunal comprises three permanent members: a Part-Time Chairman and 2 Part-Time Tribunal Members. Tribunal members are appointed by the Premier. The Premier can also appoint any number of additional temporary members. As of April 2017, the permanent Tribunal members are:

NameTitleTerm beganTime in officeTerm lengthNotes
Dr Peter Boxall AOChairman23 November 2011 (2011-11-23)8 years, 217 days8 years (initially 5)[1]
Mr Ed WillettPart Time Member8 December 2014 (2014-12-08)5 years, 202 days5 years
Ms Deborah CopePart Time Member3 February 2017 (2017-02-03)3 years, 145 days6 months

Notable former members
NameTitleTerm beganTerm endTime in officeNotes
Dr Tom Parry AMInaugural Chairman1992 (1992)2004 (2004)11–12 years

Executive Team
NameTitleNotes
Hugo HarmstorfChief Executive Officer[1]
Fiona TowersExecutive Director, Energy and Transport
Lucy GarnierExecutive Director, Local Government
Matthew EdgertonExecutive Director, Water
Anna BrakeyExecutive Director, Strategy and Economic Analysis
Pamela SoonGeneral Counsel
Rob O'NeillGeneral Manager, Licensing and Compliance
Rob McKennaGeneral Manager, Energy Savings Scheme
Rose MooneyChief Financial Officer
Shayne McKenzieDirector, Human Resources

See also
  • Electric power companies of Australia
  • Public transport in metropolitan New South Wales
  • Sydney Water

References
  1. "The Tribunal & Executive Team". Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
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