On 22 November 2016, the Australian Energy Regulator’s Customer Consultative Group (CCG) held its third and final meeting for 2016.
The CCG Chair, Mr Jim Cox, formally launched the AER’s annual retail performance and compliance reports, and the AER’s Sustainable Payment Plans Framework, announcing the publication on the AER website of the names of 14 retailers that had adopted the Framework.
Mr Cox also updated members on the AER’s recent activities and current work program, including: our review of the Rebidding and Technical Parameters Guideline; Tariff Structure Statement decisions; and compliance activity related to explicit informed consent and life support provisions.
The agenda included items on the AER’s consideration of a rule change proposal to increase protections for life support customers, the recent South Australian power outage and potential consumer issues arising from the retailer-led roll-out of smart meters.
Background
The CCG is established under the National Energy Retail Rules and provides advice to the AER in relation to its functions under the energy laws affecting energy consumers across participating jurisdictions. The CCG meets up to three times a year and has eleven members — Consumer Action Law Centre, Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, COTA Australia, Energy Consumers Australia, Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, National Retail Association, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Queensland Council of Social Service, St Vincent de Paul Society, Tasmanian Council of Social Service and Uniting Communities.