Utilities - 2/21 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

20 December , 2021

Consumer Representative Opportunity: Energy Queensland seeking EOIs to join it’s Customer and Community Council

Energy Queensland is Queensland’s 100% owned group of electricity distribution, retail, and services businesses. As a Government Owned Corporation, it delivers electricity across Queensland through it’s ‘poles and wires’ businesses Energex and Ergon Energy Network. It’s retailer, Ergon Energy Retail sells this electricity to customers throughout regional Queensland. These essential service activities are supported by a…

20 December , 2021

Financial issues ‘just the tip of the iceberg’ in supporting energy consumers, prompting new tactics from the AER

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is consulting on a bold new strategy, launched today for consultation, to improve outcomes for consumers experiencing vulnerability and help them stay engaged with the rapidly transforming energy market. This is a media release from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). It was originally published on 20th December, 2021. Latest energy debt figures show a 56% increase…

17 December , 2021

Energy sector remains focused on transition and affordability

Affordable energy and transition to a decarbonised energy system in ways that put customers at the centre, have been identified by the Energy Charter as critical ongoing commitments in 2022, following a new report released today. This is a media release from The Energy Charter. It was originally published on 15th December, 2021. Energy Charter Full Signatories, made up of…

25 November , 2021

How efficient is your dishwasher, and clothes dryer?

Energy rating labels provide consumers with information on the energy efficiency of a range of appliances including dishwashers and clothes dryers. High levels of performance, energy efficiency and water efficiency (where applicable) are priorities when purchasing electric dishwashers and rotary clothes dryers and included in the recently amended standards (AS/NZS 2007.1:2021 and AS/NZS 2442.1:2021). Consumers’ Federation of Australia…

2 November , 2021

Consultation Regulation Impact Statement closing soon

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is proposing to update the energy efficiency provisions for residential buildings in the 2022 edition of the National Construction Code (NCC). The proposed provisions are included in stage 2 of the NCC 2022 public comment draft (PCD). This is a consultation from the Australian Building Codes Board. It was originally published on…

7 October , 2021

Drinking water treatment systems – does it have a WaterMark?

The revised national standard on drinking water treatment systems meets WaterMark product certification which protects community health and safety, and guarantees to be suitable for use by you, your family, and your friends. Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) supports a representative to participate on the Standards Australia Technical Committee WS-027 Domestic water treatment applications which revised the Australian Standard…

24 September , 2021

Telcos and credit providers fail consumers during COVID-19, says new scorecard

Telecommunications and credit and personal finance providers were found to be joint wooden spoon winners in a 2020 Sector Scorecard developed by Consumer Policy Research Centre and Roy Morgan. By delivering the joint worst customer experience overall these sectors have let down their customers when they most needed support. This highlights the need for increased…

20 September , 2021

Australian Energy Regulator seeks new members on key panel representing consumer views

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is inviting organisations and individuals to apply for membership on its Customer Consultative Group (CCG), a key consumer panel providing input into retail energy consumer experiences. This is a news item from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). It was originally published on 15th September, 2021. The CCG is a critical part of our stakeholder…

28 July , 2021

Australian consumers back proposed solar export rule changes

Consumers have strongly backed proposed rule changes being considered by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) that are designed to enable growth in electricity exports from rooftop solar panels, enabling more Australians to share in the economic and environmental benefits. This is an Energy Consumers Australia media release, originally published on 27th July, 2021. The changes would allow…

7 July , 2021

More efficient lighting for consumers

With inefficient halogen lamps proposed to be phased out in Australia from late 2022, consumers will soon be looking for more certainty around performance claims for LED lamps. Lighting accounts for around 10% of electricity usage in households, and 18–40% of in commercial premises. The recently published Australian/NZ standard provides suppliers with a clear guidance on how to…

24 June , 2021

AER’s 2021-2022 compliance and enforcement priorities: Consumer protection

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) today released five compliance and enforcement priorities for 2021-22, which include a major focus on protecting energy consumers. This is an Australian Energy Regulator (AER) media release, originally published on 23rd June, 2021. AER Chair Clare Savage said the AER will be monitoring retailers to ensure they identify residential consumers in…

23 June , 2021

Consumer Representative Opportunity: Energy & Water Ombudsman (NSW)

The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) is calling for nominations to be one of the five Community Directors on the EWON Board from November 2021. EWON is the independent dispute resolution scheme for NSW electricity and gas customers and some water customers. The Board is responsible for corporate governance, funding, and strategy. Under our Constitution the Board consists of…