Added protection for electricity consumers

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson today announced the make up of the newly-formed Energy Ombudsman Advisory Council.

The new Advisory Council will provide advice to the government on the operations of the Office of the Energy Ombudsman which was set up to help consumers when the electricity market opened up to full retail competition.

“The eleven member Advisory Council will be headed by business woman, Karen Chalmers-Scott,” Mr Wilson said.

“The Advisory Council members will bring a range of skills and knowledge to their new roles.

“Their appointment is another milestone in the new open market that has been created for households and small business consumers of electricity and natural gas,” he said.

Council members are:

·Philip Craig, Sales and Marketing, Origin Energy

·Jim Galvin, General Manager, Queensland, AGL

·Thomas Gilpin, Commercial Operations, Australian Power & Gas

·Fraser Power, Customer Advocate, Office of the Chief Executive, Ergon Energy

·Michael Swanston, Group Manager, Customer Advocacy, ENERGEX

·Margaret Campbell-Ryder, Executive Committee, Queensland Retail Traders and Shopkeepers Association

·Ian Jarratt, Executive member, Queensland Consumers’ Association

·Jill Lang, Director, Queensland Council of Social Service

·Robert Leach, Northern Brisbane Diocesan President, St Vincent de Paul Society

·Myra Pincott, Immediate Past President, Queensland Country Women’s Association.

The main role of the advisory council will be to monitor the Office of the Energy Ombudsman.

The Energy Ombudsman provides a free, fair, independent, effective and timely dispute resolution service for customers who cannot resolve a dispute directly with their energy retailer or distributor.

The Energy Ombudsman will also handle complaints about the marketing behaviour of retailers.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819