On 28 October 2011 the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) hosted the sixth meeting of its Customer Consultative Group (CCG). The meeting covered a range of topics relevant to energy customers, including:
- the AER’s rule change proposal to the Australian Energy Market Commission on the national framework for economic regulation of network service providers
- an overview of the AER’s Statement of Approach to retail market compliance and enforcement when the Retail Law and Retail Rules commence on 1 July 2012
- outcomes of the CCG’s July workshop on consumer engagement strategies, and the AER’s proposed education strategy in the lead-up to the commencement of its new statutory responsibilities
- the development of the AER’s internet price comparator, and the survey being run to inform the name of the price comparator website, and
- an update from the Energy and Water Ombudsman of Queensland (EWOQ), Mr Forbes Smith.
This was the final meeting of the inaugural membership of the CCG. The AER and its staff would like to extend thanks to members —Australian Council of Social Service, Australian Council on the Ageing, Australian Industry Group, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Consumer Action Law Centre, Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, South Australian Farmers Federation and UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide—for the invaluable assistance they have provided over the last two years.
Calls for expressions of interest in joining the CCG next year are now open and close at 5:00pm AEST on Monday 28 November 2011. Interested groups with experience of issues affecting energy customers are encouraged to apply. It is anticipated that the group’s next meeting will be held in February 2012.