The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) is pleased to announce the appointment of the 2028 Integrated System Plan (ISP) Consumer Panel, an independent advisory body that provides a consumer-focused perspective on Australia’s long-term energy planning.
AEMO has appointed Michael Swanston (Chair), Dr Jarra Hicks, Dr Edward Langham and Georgina Morris as members of the 2028 ISP Consumer Panel to engage with AEMO and represent consumers throughout the development of the 2028 ISP.
Dr Hicks is continuing with the Panel for a second term; the other three panellists are newly appointed. Profiles of each of the panel members are available here.
AEMO extends its thanks to outgoing ISP Consumer Panel members Mark Henley (Chair), Beverley Hughson and Craig Memery for their exceptional contributions to the development of both the 2024 ISP and 2026 ISP during the past four years. The Panel’s primary focus to date in 2026 has been responding to the Draft 2026 ISP, outlining more than 50 recommendations covering 12 major recurring themes in their 90-page report.
ISP Consumer Panel members have broad experience across Australia’s energy sector, including transmission, distribution, generation, storage, regulation and consumer energy resources. The Panel plays a critical role in the ISP two-year development process, through preparing formal reports at key milestones and undertaking regular engagement with AEMO.
“The ISP Consumer Panel has an important role in making sure the perspectives of households, communities and businesses remain central to long-term energy planning. Australians will ultimately fund and rely on the energy system being developed through the ISP process, so it is critical that decisions are practical, transparent and grounded in the long-term interests of consumers.
I’m honoured to chair the Panel and work alongside members to provide constructive, balanced input to AEMO as the ISP develops. Good planning must recognise the very real pressures consumers are facing on energy costs, while also supporting a system that is reliable, secure and capable of meeting Australia’s future energy needs,” 2028 ISP Consumer Panel Chair Michael Swanston says.
The 2026 ISP Consumer Panel will remain in place until the publication of the 2026 ISP in June. Recruitment for the 2028 ISP Consumer Panel followed a call for expression of interest in February 2026. The EOI generated close to 30 high-calibre applications with varying expertise, and AEMO thanks all who applied.
About the ISP
The ISP sets out the least-cost investment pathway for the National Electricity Market (NEM) to meet consumer energy needs and government policies through to 2050. The ISP is published at least every two years.
Further information about the ISP is outlined in AEMO’s Integrated System Plan toolkit. AEMO consults with a wide range of stakeholders, including energy consumers and community advocates. The toolkit provides essential information about the ISP to help these groups understand it more and learn how they can contribute to its development.