Summary of submissions and responses from additional amendments Submissions from additional amendments Stakeholder Stakeholder response AER response Further information requirements for retrofit conversions CUAC The majority of stakeholders supported the proposal that Feedback suggests our proposed amendments will go applicants address further information requirements for some way towards addressing the information disclosure ATA retrofitted issues identified with respect to network conversions, but WINenergy that more guidance is needed on how property owners A few considered the proposal did not go far enough, namely should consult with customers, and more broadly. We will Energy and Water that sellers should, in addition, be required to advise revise the Guideline accordingly. Ombudsman of South customers: Australia We agree with EWON that a measured approach should be about reduced consumer protections including access to taken to relaxing the consent requirements for network AGL ombudsman schemes and hardship arrangements conversions to proceed, and therefore propose any (CUAC, ATA, EWOSA); Jemena Electricity Networks relaxation be limited to business sites / premises only. impact on a customer’s existing retail contract and access Property owners proposing network conversions to Origin Energy to government schemes or rebates (AGL); residential sites / premises will continue to need to apply for Energy Networks Australia an individual exemption. fees in respect to regulated meters, contract implications if Energy & Water Ombudsman the meter changes, power outages caused by meter To clarify, our proposals relate only to retail exemptions. NSW upgrades, cost sharing arrangement in respect to the The Network Guideline will be reviewed and revised network (ENA). separately. Shopping Centre Council of Australia The Shopping Centre Council was concerned about tenants receiving multiple communications and recommended a more streamlined process. It asked for more guidance on information and consultation requirements, as did WINenergy. AGL also asked for clarification on the distinction between customers and property owners.
Summary of submissions and responses from additional amendments Submissions from additional amendments Stakeholder Stakeholder response AER response Further information requirements for retrofit conversions CUAC ATA WINenergy Energy and Water Ombudsman of South Australia AGL Jemena Electricity Networks Origin Energy Energy Networks Australia Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW Shopping Centre Council of Australia The majority of stakeholders supported the proposal that applicants address further information requirements for retrofitted A few considered the proposal did not go far enough, namely that sellers should, in addition, be required to advise customers: about reduced consumer protections including access to ombudsman schemes and hardship arrangements (CUAC, ATA, EWOSA); impact on a customer’s existing retail contract and access to government schemes or rebates (AGL); fees in respect to regulated meters, contract implications if the meter changes, power outages caused by meter upgrades, cost sharing arrangement in respect to the network (ENA). The Shopping Centre Council was concerned about tenants receiving multiple communications and recommended a more streamlined process. It asked for more guidance on information and consultation requirements, as did WINenergy. AGL also asked for clarification on the distinction between customers and property owners. Feedback suggests our proposed amendments will go some way towards addressing the information disclosure issues identified with respect to network conversions, but that more guidance is needed on how property owners should consult with customers, and more broadly. We will revise the Guideline accordingly. We agree with EWON that a measured approach should be taken to relaxing the consent requirements for network conversions to proceed, and therefore propose any relaxation be limited to business sites / premises only. Property owners proposing network conversions to residential sites / premises will continue to need to apply for an individual exemption. To clarify, our proposals relate only to retail exemptions. The Network Guideline will be reviewed and revised separately.
Notice%20of%20Final%20Instrument%20-%20Revised%20AER%20Retail%20Exempt%20Selling%20Guideline%20-%20March%202016.docx