The Prime Minister's taskforce is headed up by James Horne of the Prime Minister and Cabinet office and is aimed at advising on the energy supply mix for the country. The delay has angered some sections of the energy sector, with the pipeline lobby group saying it was unacceptable.

"We have been on to them for more than two years to address the issues that threaten the country's energy future," pipeline spokesman Alan Beasley said.

The Horne report was commissioned by the Prime Minister after receiving unfavourable reports from major energy investors regarding Australia's taxation regime when he attended the World Economic Forum in New York earlier in the year.

It is understood Howard has been in possession of the report for at least a fortnight but it has not been released because of what Government sources say is commercially sensitive information contained within the report.