Energy giants are again being threatened with "big stick" laws that could see their assets forcibly sold, as a new report shows some power prices have dropped.
The consumer watchdog has identified a significant fall in standing offer prices for long-term customers, after the federal government introduced a default market offer in July.
Almost 800,000 homes and businesses are saving up to $190.
However, the ACCC also found the lowest market offers from the three biggest retailers have increased since the changes were made.
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor has encouraged customers to shop around.
"My message to the big companies is clear: they need to do the right thing by middle Australia," he said on Monday.
There was still more work to be done to drive down power prices, he said.
The ACCC says customers in NSW, Queensland and Tasmania could save up to $100 a year if their state governments write-down state-owned network assets or provide rebates on network charges for privatised assets.
The watchdog also argues for green schemes - which make up about eight per cent of electricity bills - to be abolished as they're no longer needed.
Mr Taylor has used the report to urge the Labor Party to support the coalition's so-called "big stick" legislation, which is aimed at stopping energy companies from engaging in anti-competitive behaviour.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said Labor would consider the legislation.
"But I've got to say, the starting point is the title, which is Orwellian," he told reporters in Canberra.
"This is a government that doesn't have a policy on climate change or energy and has come up with a rather juvenile term, to be frank, of calling legislation 'big stick' legislation.
"I mean, we're meant to be adults."
The bill, which was was shelved before the May federal election, will be reintroduced to parliament this week.
Mr Taylor is yet to explain how much taxpayer money will be put towards the coalition's plan to underwrite new power projects, which has been whittled down to a shortlist of 12.
The ACCC says the plan will be most effective if it helps new players enter the market, the government only provides taxpayer support to give certainty for debt financing, and if the projects can point to who they will provide energy to.
Meanwhile, more ACT homes and businesses will be transitioned off gas as part of the territory's updated climate strategy.
Gas will also be removed as a requirement for new suburbs in the nation's capital, in line with the goal of having net zero emissions from gas by 2045.
The ACT government is on track to achieving its goal of all electricity from renewable sources by next year.
Australian Associated Press
