The ACCC has taken the first steps in its east coast gas market inquiry.

The competition regulator has issued an issues paper, seeking the views of industry members and stakeholders about competitiveness in the market.

ACCC chair Rod Sims told the Energy Networks Association Gas Seminar in Melbourne that the watchdog is prepared for a huge task.

“We are undertaking extensive industry stakeholder consultation to understand better the reasoningbehind claims about particular market behaviours or about shortcomings in the market.

He said the ACCC has no preconception that there is illegal behaviour, or that anyone’s position in the market is being used to influence market outcomes.

“However, the ACCC is well placed to investigate and assess any structural or other issues in the gas market that limit competition or prevent the gas market working as expected,” he said.

In outlining the scope of the ACCC’s inquiry, Mr Sims said there is significant change occurring in domestic gas markets given the extraordinary developments with LNG export projects.

Mr Sims also called on industry participants to provide their views on market information and transparency.

“A common theme which is underlying many of the challenges facing the gas market in eastern Australia is a concern about a lack of information, or an asymmetry in access to information, on key components of the market,” he said.

The issues paper is accessible here.