Hon David Caygill, Chairman On Electricity Inquiry

3 February 2000

PRESS STATEMENT

from Hon David Caygill, Chairman
Ministerial Inquiry into the Electricity Industry

I am delighted to have been asked by the Minister of Energy to lead the Inquiry into the Electricity Industry. I look forward to working with the other members of the Inquiry panel to address the challenging and wide-ranging terms of reference.

At the first meeting of the Inquiry panel next week, decisions will be made on how best to address the terms of reference. I anticipate that we will be able to announce the timetable for submissions and Inquiry hearings shortly after that.

At this stage, we are planning to publish a discussion document within the next two weeks. The document will elaborate on the terms of reference and provide relevant background information.

I envisage that while interested parties are preparing their submissions, the panel will make a brief visit to a small number of overseas countries that have undertaken reforms in their electricity industries in the last few years.

The Inquiry panel is to report its findings by 12 June this year.

An Inquiry web site is being set up and will be available next week. The web site address is www.electricityinquiry.govt.nz. This will contain the Inquiry terms of reference and press releases from the Minister and the discussion paper when it becomes available. It will also be used to convey public statements made by the panel and public notices relating to processes and procedures adopted by the panel. It will also contain the secretariat’s address and contact details.

The Inquiry Manager is Mr John Gilbert and the secretariat address and telephone and fax numbers are:

Level 11, Ministry of Commerce Building
33 Bowen Street
Wellington

Tel: (04) 460 1375
Fax: (04) 460 1374

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