ACCC invites comments on proposed amendments to water market rules and water charge (termination fees) rules

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is responding to a request from the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, for advice on proposed amendments to the Water Market Rules 2009 and Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules 2009, including draft amendments.

The ACCC invites interested parties to make submissions on the proposed amendments, which relate specifically to:

• Murray Irrigation Limited's recent reissue of irrigators' water entitlements. MIL has expressed concern that it may not benefit from the protection against legal action that s.97(10) of the Water Act 2007 provides to operators, and
• technical issues identified in the process of implementing the Rules.

The Minister's request and further information about the proposed amendments to the Rules are set out at www.accc.gov.au/water.

Comments can be submitted to the Water Branch, water@accc.gov.au, and should be provided by 5 p.m. on Monday, 2 November 2009.

There will be further opportunity to make submissions on proposed amendments prior to preparation of final advice to the Minister.  Specifically, the ACCC proposes to prepare draft advice, including any draft amendments, in December 2009 for further consultation.

The Water Act, which came into effect on 3 March 2008, established additional functions for the ACCC. These functions include the provision of advice on amendments to water charge rules and water market rules for consideration by the Minister and for the ACCC to monitor compliance with and enforcement of these rules.