Woods grabs new powers in electricity sector

Energy minister Megan Woods will get more power to change electricity regulations under a new bill. (Image: Getty)

Tue, 14 Sep 2021

Law changes to give consumers a greater say in electricity and ministerial powers to rewrite regulations if unhappy with them have been introduced into Parliament.The Electricity Industry Amendment Bill flows from the government’s electricity price review (EPR) in 2018/19 and like some policy processes in the sector has fallen behind schedule, partly due to covid.Among other things, the bill sets up an electricity consumer advocacy agency for households and small businesses, which will be funded from a yet to be set levy.The sector regula...

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Politics

Govt reshuffle: Lee demoted, Simmonds loses portfolio

Melissa Lee has been stripped of her media and communications portfolio and dropped from the cabinet, prime minister Christopher Luxon announced today.He has given Paul Goldsmith the portfolio after Lee was widely criticised over her public handling of the numerous issues facing...

Staff reporters 1:20pm

Economy