Bligh Government looking after the battlers

The Bligh Government has brought in tough new penalties for power billing companies that do the wrong thing by their customers, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

Minister Wilson said the new penalties would further protect pensioners who had been overcharged on their electricity bill.

“The Bligh Government doesn’t turn its back on the battlers. We know they’re doing it tough and we’re on their side,” Mr Wilson said.

The Minister’s action follows a series of billing glitches where some pensioners had been missing out on the State Government’s electricity rebate of $165 a year and were wrongly charged for the ambulance levy.

“We’ve already brought in rules to force power billing companies to repay the money. But now, they will also have to give householders a credit of $40 off their next bill,” he said.

“I’ve had a gutful of power billing companies doing the wrong thing by their customers. It’s time for those companies to be hit in the hip pocket instead,” Mr Wilson said.

Minister Wilson said the new code would require power billing companies to pay their customers for the inconvenience and stress of being overcharged.

“The bottom line is we’re on the side of consumers and we will continue to look after the interests of everyday Queenslanders, especially people who are doing it tough,” Mr Wilson said.

“That’s why we set up an Energy Ombudsman. He’s got experienced people working in his office with their sleeves rolled up, sorting out complaints. He’s there to look after the battler.

“It’s a free, independent one-stop shop that looks after the rights of energy consumers,” he said.

Minister Wilson recently called in all of the power billing companies, read the riot act to them and told them to lift their game. Three companies were also hit with Show Cause Notices and hefty fines.

The new code will not penalise power billing companies that adjust an overcharged account before it has been paid, or if the billing error relates to a faulty meter, or other causes outside their control.

“You can expect a glitch or two in any system, but all power billing companies should by now have checks and balances to quickly identify errors and fix them,” Mr Wilson said.

The new code is expected to start in a matter of weeks and will be administered by the independent Queensland Competition Authority.

Media inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819