Miles Government win in stopping energy retailers’ smart meter sting

• In nation-leading move, Miles Government to better protect Queensland households from private energy companies doing the wrong thing
• Customers experiencing bill shock following the installation of smart meters will be allowed to return to flat-tariffs under proposed regulation
• Builds on proposal to prohibit retailers automatically switching customers to time of use tariffs without their consent

The new Miles Government will implement better consumer protections for thousands of Queensland households following an announcement made by the Energy Minister today.

Under the proposed change, South East Queensland households moved to time of use tariffs following the installation of a smart meter, will now be able to revert to a flat tariff.

It is designed to pair with the Australian Energy Market Commission’s three-year ban on tariff changes without consent - an initiative spearheaded by the Miles Government.

Queensland lobbied for the new rules through the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council after learning customers were experiencing bill shock by unknowingly being put on the different tariff.

In regional Queensland where electricity tariffs are regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority, Ergon Energy Retail is not able to change a customer’s tariff without the informed consent of the customer.

At present, southeast Queensland retailers can assign any customer on a smart meter to a demand or time-of-use energy tariff. They are only obliged to notify the customer of the change before the next bill is sent.

Time of use tariffs do have the potential to save Queenslanders significant costs on their energy bills, however achieving those savings is often contingent on consumers understanding their energy usage.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“Queenslanders shouldn’t be ripped off at the meter, which is my government is doing what matters to protect households.

“This move is about putting money back in the pockets of Queenslanders at a time when its needed most.

“It builds on our nation leading $1,000 energy rebates – rebates that have already been credited to more than 1.3 million households bills.

“Every bit counts and it’s my commitment that we will continue to give Queenslanders the helping hand they need.”

Quotes attributable to Energy Minister Mick de Brenni:

“Doing the right thing by Queenslanders is what matters most to the new Miles Government.

“The Miles Government will always take action to help Queenslanders every way we can, and we’ll always champion better protections for consumers.

“Not only are we offering nation-leading cost of living relief to all Queensland households, we’re ensuring Queenslanders can easily access the best tariff options for their households.

“We will always back Queenslanders and work hard to lower the cost of living, while the LNP offered no state-wide relief when electricity prices soared 43%.

“Cheaper, cleaner power, rebates and consumer protections are all at risk under the LNP.”

Further information:

• AEMC announced on Thursday 16 August 2024 a consultation process on a proposed rule change that would place a ban (3 years) on people being moved tariffs without their consent to following the installation of smart meters. The paper notes that state jurisdictions will need to pass parallel regulations to allow those who have already been moved to return to a flat tariff.
• QLD Minister for energy was cited throughout AEMC Direction paper on the consultation process
• Customers unhappy with the behaviour of their retailer should complain to the Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland (www.ewoq.com.au).

ENDS