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16/07/09Minister establishes Energy Retailers Roundtable
Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson has announced a new measure to strengthen consumer protection in the energy retail market.
"Today I am announcing the establishment of an Energy Retailers Roundtable for Queensland," Mr Robertson said
"The roundtable will be an opportunity for the Energy Ombudsman and I to meet with retailers and exchange views on issues affecting consumers, such as billing timeliness and door to door selling standards."
The roundtable will consist of all retailers who hold gas or electricity retail licences in Queensland who market to small energy customers.
Mr Robertson said representative of the Queensland Council of Social Services and the Queensland Consumers Association will also be invited to be part of the roundtable to represent consumer's interests.
"Since taking over as Energy Minister in March, I have been concerned with the nature of some complaints being made against energy retailers.
"Earlier this year we saw one retailer use a clause in a market contract to retrospectively increase prices.
"I found this action reprehensible and directed my department to close this loophole in the electricity code.
"By establishing the roundtable, issues like these can be discussed and hopefully resolved with all retailers.
"Senior executives will be directly accountable to the Minister for Energy and the Ombudsman and by making small problems the responsibility of senior management I hope retailers make changes at the grass roots of their organisations."
The Ombudsman will also report to the group the number and types of complaints received since the previous meeting.
"I hope that the formation of the Queensland Energy Retailers Roundtable will foster goodwill through demonstrated service quality and customer service responsiveness," Mr Robertson said.
The roundtable will convene three times a year.
Media Contact : 07 3225 1819
Last Updated 03 November 2009
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