Energy Networks Australia and its members will actively participate in the Australian Energy Regulator’s tax review announced by Minister Frydenberg this morning.

Energy Network Australia CEO Andrew Dillon said that while a review of the issue was appropriate, it was essential that regulatory changes were in the long-term interests of customers and not knee-jerk political reactions.

“Networks are not gouging customers,” he said.

“The current benchmark approach to tax allowances is set by the AER to avoid customers in different suburbs paying different charges and the risk of sudden price rises when there is a change of ownership,” he said.

“Many knee-jerk policy decisions over recent decades affecting energy networks have led to poor consumer outcomes.

“We can’t go down that path again.”