This examination of policymaking in the energy sector combines research on the current state of the sector with five in-depth case studies, each measured against an assessment framework to identify four areas for improvement. The report calls for a more coordinated, evidence-based, and inclusive approach to energy policy. 

The first of a series examining the policymaking process in Australia, this report applies the Susan McKinnon Foundation's Policymaking assessment framework to a cross-jurisdictional and cross-party set of policies in the energy sector. The series seeks to make system-level recommendations to improve policymaking and governance.

The report identifies four key areas for improvement.

1. Lack of coordination resulting in different standards and approaches across jurisdictions.
2. No systematic approach to identifying and sharing learnings and best practice across jurisdictions.
3. Regulatory mechanisms are no longer suited to rapidly changing context.
4. Disproportionate influence of industry lobby in energy policy agenda-setting and of industry in consultation.

Recommendations

• Improve transparency of energy policy decisions by publishing businesses cases and supporting analysis of major energy policy and projects.
• Improve sector governance to enable greater policy coordination, improved data collection and consumer representation.
• Ministers should develop and commit to shared principles for consultation and engagement, and report annually on self-assessed compliance with principles on all major energy policy and projects.
• Improve the regulation of lobbying by adopting common minimum standards, expanding the scope and ensuring enforcement of lobbying regimes.