Commonwealth, state and territory energy ministers have today agreed on a new national customer framework that will provide for greater competition, strong protections for energy customers and at the same time reduce regulatory burdens on energy businesses.
Meeting in Melbourne today, the Ministerial Council on Energy agreed on the core policy positions that will underpin the new National Energy Customer Framework (NECF).
Commenting on the outcome, Federal Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, said the agreement will deliver tangible benefits to both consumers and business.
“The new package is good news for customers, delivering strong consumer protections,” Minister Ferguson said.
“It will require retailers to include certain model terms and conditions in contracts, to include more information on energy pricing in customer bills, and to obtain the explicit and informed consent of customers when entering into an energy supply contract.
“Retailers will have to put in place hardship policies that are approved by the Australian Energy Regulator, including provisions for payment plans.
“The framework we have agreed also reduces regulatory burdens faced by energy businesses, particularly retailers. This will, in turn, remove regulatory overlap and foster greater competition.”
The NECF complements other energy-related laws and consumer protections around Australia.
It is intended that the legislation will be introduced into the South Australian Parliament during the Spring 2010 sitting. Other state and territory governments will apply the NECF progressively to fit their circumstances between July 2011 and July 2013.
The communiqué from today's meeting will be published at www.mce.gov.au.