Utilities - 2/19 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

26 September , 2018

Energy Network Consumer Engagement Award – Applications invited

2018 Annual Energy Network Consumer Engagement Award recognises network businesses that made significant effort to engage with consumers and improve outcomes for households and small businesses. This award recognises leadership in the design, development and application of a ground-breaking Australian energy network initiative, technology, service, or solution. It may apply to asset management, distributed energy…

12 September , 2018

Scholarship to honour Dr Gill Owen

Energy Consumers Australia today is proud to announce an annual scholarship to honour the memory of Dr Gill Owen, who passed away in August 2016. Dr Gill Owen was an inaugural Director of the Energy Consumers Australia Board.’ The CEO of Energy Consumers Australia, Rosemary Sinclair AM said today that Gill Owen was a respected…

31 August , 2018

Don’t be fooled by bogus door to door water testers

Perth home owners are being warned about bogus door to door water testers who give the impression that they are from the Government, but are really sellers of water filtration systems. Several reports have been received about the door knockers, some in high-vis vests, who tell householders they are testing water quality in the area…

7 August , 2018

Queensland consumers want changes to proposals for National Energy Consumer Framework

The Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) wants the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) to change its proposed new rule in the National Energy Customer Framework (NECF) that will require energy retailers to provide customers with prior notification of price changes for many types of contracts. Although the QCA’s submission to the AEMC supports most of the…

18 July , 2018

Public comment invited on new refrigeration appliance standard

On 14 June 2018, Standards Australia’s draft AS/NZS 4474:2018 Household refrigerating appliances – Energy labelling and minimum energy performance standards requirements standard was published for public comment. This standard embodies several years of work by members of the EL-059 Committee that includes E3 Program representatives and other key stakeholders. Once implemented, this standard will bring into effect…

12 July , 2018

Consumer advocates welcome ACCC Final Report on electricity market

Consumer advocates have welcomed the findings of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry Final Report, released yesterday. Energy Consumers Australia Acting CEO Lynne Gallagher said the final report confirms what consumers have been saying: that the electricity market is not working as it should and not delivering good value for…

10 July , 2018

Australian Energy Regulator puts consumer interests at centre of rate of return decision

The Australian Energy Regulator has today put the long-term interests of households and small businesses at the centre of its draft decision on the allowed ‘rate of return’ for energy networks, Lynne Gallagher, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Energy Consumers Australia said today. “Energy prices, especially electricity prices, are too high in Australia and network…

20 June , 2018

Consumer advocate groups call for action by energy retailers and regulators

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has admitted that competition among energy retailers is not delivering ‘expected benefits’ in its annual retail energy competition review. Consumer Action Law Centre and PIAC’s Energy and Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program (EWCAP) are calling for stronger action by energy retailers and regulators to ensure that the market is working…

29 May , 2018

Validating a solar quote

Dr Martin Gill reviews a solar installers analysis suggesting a strata complex would recover the cost of investing in a solar system in “just over 4 years” – Dr Gill’s review of the installer’s analysis raises multiped issues, read more here. The Clean Energy Council maintains a list of Approved solar installers. These installers voluntarily agree to a…

16 May , 2018

Phasing out inefficient halogen light bulbs in Australia

There will be significant savings to households on their electricity bills due to the planned phasing out of inefficient halogen light bulbs. The average Australian household will be around $650 better off over 10 years by changing from inefficient halogen lamps to minimum standard LED lamps. On 20 April 2018, the COAG Energy Council agreed…

7 May , 2018

Can I save on energy?

CHOICE is launching canisaveonenergy.com.au to help people tap into hundreds of dollars in electricity savings. “We’ve decided to intervene in the electricity market and cut out the commercial switching sites which are paid by energy companies to sell their products,” says CHOICE Head of Media Tom Godfrey. “Unfortunately, the electricity market has been stitched up by cosy…

3 May , 2018

Stop blaming consumers for electricity market failure

Dr Martin Gill discusses how electricity retailers continue to justify their poor behaviour by claiming consumers have a choice. This is untrue. As an essential service, consumers must purchase electricity. Consumer rights to access this essential service, at a sensible price, should be protected and not turned into a “game” with a few winners and…