On 23 February 2012 the AER hosted its seventh Customer Consultative Group (CCG) meeting. It was the first meeting for 2012 and the first for the newly reconstituted Group. The meeting covered topics relevant to energy customers, including:
- A presentation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on its approach to carbon price claims when the Carbon Pricing Scheme (CPS) commences on 1 July 2012, with an emphasis on ensuring compliance with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and raising consumers’ awareness of their rights under the ACL
- An update from the Joint Implementation Group—established to ensure a coordinated national approach to the implementation of the National Customer Energy Framework (NECF)—on progress made by each of the participating States and Territories and the development of a national NECF communication strategy
- An update on the AER’s preparation for the commencement of the NECF, in particular work underway on the price comparator website (Energy Made Easy); approval of retailers’ customer hardship policies; and compliance and performance reporting
- An overview from Cynthia Gebert, the new Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV).
ACCC Commissioner and AER Board member Mr Ed Willett, acting for AER Chair Mr Andrew Reeves, used the meeting to brief the group on AER’s activities since the last meeting in October 2012. The meeting was also an opportunity for members to update the AER on their current activities and priorities.
The Customer Consultative Group meets up to three times a year and has ten current members—Australian Council of Social Service, Australian Council on the Ageing, Australian Industry Group, Consumer Action Law Centre, Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Queensland Council of Social Service, Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Tasmanian Council of Social Service and UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide.