New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

GAS SUPPLY (NATURAL GAS RETAIL COMPETITION) REGULATION 2001 - REG 76

76 Directions to suppliers

(1) Any Minister (the "sponsoring Minister") may, with the concurrence of the Treasurer, direct a supplier to take such action as the sponsoring Minister considers appropriate to facilitate the implementation of any aspect of the Government’s social programs for energy within the sponsoring Minister’s administrative responsibility.

(2) The direction:

(a) may specify that particular services are to be provided to particular classes of persons free of charge, at specified charges or subject to specified discounts or rebates, and

(b) must specify the amount or a methodology by which that amount may be assessed by the sponsoring Minister as the estimated efficient cost to the supplier of complying with the direction, and

(c) may require the supplier to publish the direction in the manner specified in the direction, and

(d) must specify arrangements for the payment to the supplier of an amount equivalent to the costs assessed by the sponsoring Minister, as referred to in subclause (b), or, if the supplier disputes that assessment, the costs assessed under clause 77.

(3) Before making a direction, the Minister must:

(a) consult with the suppliers proposed to be made subject to the direction, and

(b) give the suppliers written notice of the criteria on which the estimated efficient costs of complying with the direction are to be assessed.

(4) If a direction is given to a supplier under this clause, it is a condition of the supplier’s authorisation that the supplier must take the action required by the direction on and from the date the direction takes effect or, if the direction specifies a later date, on and from that later date.