On 24 March 2023, the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) released a consultation paper on the proposed implementation approaches from the 2022 Review of the Competition and Consumer (Industry Code – Electricity Retail) Regulations 2019 (the Code).
The Code introduced the Default Market Offer (DMO) which sets the maximum price that retailers can charge consumers on standing offers. It also introduced the Reference Price which works as a benchmark that lets customers compare electricity plans using a single price.
The 2022 Review outcomes sought more consultation on three outcomes:
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Options to amend the name of the Reference Price. This is to better describe its function and improves consumer understanding.
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The application of the Reference Price to complex offers. This includes ensuring comparative advertising is available for complex offers.
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How to extend price cap protection provided by the DMO to customers in embedded networks. This includes considering compliance issues and costs.
The AER made a submission to the consultation paper on 21 April 2023.