The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is currently preparing its final exempt selling guideline and accompanying notice of final instrument in light of stakeholder submissions received in August 2011 (and in previously rounds of consultation). A number of those submissions highlighted the need for additional protections under the guideline, for exempt customers experiencing financial hardship. The need for further protections for exempt customers has been a common theme throughout the AER’s consultation on exempt selling.
Based on stakeholder submissions, the AER is proposing to include several additional obligations on exempt sellers. These obligations relate to customers who identify themselves as experiencing financial difficulty.
The specific details of these additional obligations are outlined in a consultation paper which can be found on the AER’s website.
The AER is seeking comments on these proposed changes prior to finalising its exempt selling guideline. Written comments are invited by 18 November 2011.
Interested parties can send electronic comments to AERInquiry
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (AERInquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au) with the subject line ‘Comments on Exempt selling guideline amendments’ or by mail to:
Retail Markets Branch
Australian Energy Regulator
GPO Box 520
Melbourne VIC 3001