SMART METERS

592 Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (30 July 2013). What plans are there for the installation of smart meters for households and businesses and what would be the cost of such a scheme?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development): I am advised the South Australian government does not support a mandated accelerated roll-out of smart meters as there is insufficient evidence that smart meters will deliver a net economic benefit for South Australian consumers.

The South Australian Government does however support a market-driven competitive roll-out of smart meters. This will provide consumers with the choice to install a smart meter where they identify a benefit, such as having better information on their energy use, access to remote energy readings or access to more retail tariff options.

I see you have copied Labor policy on this front in an attempt to create a 'new' Liberal energy policy.

The Standing Council on Energy and Resources (SCER) is currently developing arrangements to encourage the market-driven competitive roll-out of smart meters and other smart metering infrastructure and to ensure the appropriate consumer protections are in place for consumers with a smart meter.