News & Views

The Executive Director of the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), Mr Oliver Judd, has called upon the ACT Government to legislate for the introduction of competition into the ACT electrical connection market, following recent reports of connection delays for new apartment dwellers in the Canberra suburb of Franklin.

New residents moved into the apartments, only to find that power meters had either yet to be installed by ActewAGL or that power was yet to be connected.  The situation prompted ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr to step in and urge ActewAGL to prioritise electricity connections for residents of the Ivy Apartments. NECA understands that some residents were advised by ActewAGL that a connection to the electricity network would take up to nine weeks. Advice on the waiting period was later reduced to five to ten business days.

“The ACT Government should seriously consider introducing competition into the market for power connection services in the ACT, in order to cut waiting times and reduce costs for consumers, said Mr Judd.”

“The fact that ActewAGL originally advised it would take up to nine weeks to connect the Ivy apartments demonstrates an example of the behaviour of a monopoly provider.”

"Even the five to ten business days subsequently quoted by ActewAGL is significantly too long, comparing unfavourably with service delivery across the border in NSW."

The NSW Government's Accredited Service Provider (ASP) scheme creates competition for electrical connection services.  The ASPs are private companies that compete with each other – and the energy distributors themselves – in a market to connect consumers’ power.

“As a result, a resident of Queanbeyan in New South Wales is likely to have access to better connection services, at a lower cost, than those living close by in the ACT.”

“NECA therefore calls on the ACT Government to seriously consider the introduction of a similar scheme that delivers greater benefits and service delivery for ACT consumers.”

-ENDS-

Media enquiries and interviews

Barry Jackson – National Marketing and Communications

E barry.jackson@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6904

M 0457 767 328

Policy enquiries

Andrew Jefferies – Policy and Projects

E andrew.jefferies@neca.asn.au

D 02 9439 8523

Notes for editors

1. NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide.
2. NECA is run by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors.
3. We have 5,000 contracting companies as members – and they in turn employ over 50,000 people Australia-wide.
4. NECA employs almost 350 people across its seven chapters (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).
5. The chapters provide NECA members with a range of services including: Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, Legal, Technical, Training, business-support services, product discounts and advocacy representation in Canberra with Government, Industry bodies and Training bodies.
6. NECA wholly-owns its RTOs and GTOs in NSW, VIC & WA, the EcoSmart Electricians initiative and ACRS – one of the national cabling registrars, and has a joint venture with a superannuation company in NSW (NESS Super).
7. NECA also employ around 2,000 apprentice electricians and provides training to a further 2,000.
8. For further information go to www.neca.asn.au.