On 28 June 2012, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) published an issues paper for public consultation on the national workstream of the review of distribution reliability outcomes and standards.

The issues paper commences the first stage of the national workstream and sets out for comment the AEMC's proposed scope and approach to the workstream.

The current approach adopted in each National Electricity Market (NEM) jurisdiction for the achievement of distribution reliability outcomes is explored and discussed in the issues paper along with a proposed assessment framework for deciding whether there would be merit in developing a nationally consistent framework.

Submissions on the issues paper close on 9 August 2012. The AEMC will consider stakeholder submissions and will publish a draft report on the merits of moving to a nationally consistent framework for expressing, delivering and reporting on distribution reliability outcomes in November 2012.