On 23 May, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) published a consultation letter to inform its review of the Minimum Disconnection Amount under rule 116 of the National Energy Retail Rules.
Rule 116 of the Retail Rules provides that a retailer cannot disconnect a small energy customer for non payment where the amount owing is less than an amount approved by the AER and the customer has agreed to repay that amount.
In April 2012, the AER approved an amount of $300 (GST inclusive) for the purposes of r. 116. This applies to both gas and electricity and to all jurisdictions that have adopted the Retail Law and Rules.
The AER is currently conducting a review of the Minimum Disconnection Amount and has published a consultation letter seeking views from stakeholders.
Invitation for submissions
Interested parties are invited to make written submissions by COB Monday 20 June 2016. Late submissions may not be taken into account. Submissions should be sent electronically to: AERInquiry
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (AERInquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au) and should be in Microsoft Word or other text readable document form.
Alternatively, written submissions can also be sent to:
Ms Sarah Proudfoot
General Manager, Retail Markets
Australian Energy Regulator
GPO Box 520
Melbourne VIC 3001
Submissions provided by email do not need to be provided separately by mail.