The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has published a post draft decision discussion paper on the 2026 Rate of Return Instrument (RORI). The paper draws together the additional analysis we have undertaken in response to the Independent Panel’s report, specifically the recommendations on equity beta and the market risk premium.
We commenced the 2026 RORI review on 4 August 2025 and published our draft decision on 29 May 2026. More recently, we published the Independent Panel’s report and stakeholders’ submissions, both in response to our draft decision.
We have been considering all views, evidence and recommendations that have been put to us on the 2026 RORI. These insights and information have helped us to critically assess our draft decision and progress our work for the final decision. While we continue to target a December 2026 release date for the final 2026 RORI, we consider it important to hold a further round of formal public consultation on a targeted set of questions. This provides an additional opportunity for stakeholders to engage with our analysis so far and helps further inform our consideration of the issues and final positions.
We invite written submissions on our post draft decision discussion paper by close of business on Friday, 23 October 2026. Submissions should directly address the consultation questions set out in the discussion paper. We will consider these submissions alongside all submissions and evidence already received in this review.