Good Choice? – People need to be able to engage in a competitive energy market to get the best value and keep prices as low as possible. However, competition in Australia’s most deregulated and competitive state, Victoria, isn’t working. We’re campaigning for fair contracts and a basic level of standardisation to help people make sense of the energy market, engage with confidence and trust the choices they make are the best ones for their needs.

Who Pays? – Energy is an essential service, and it’s critical that it is accessible and affordable for all consumers. Disconnections in Victoria are still very high – that’s just not acceptable for an essential service. We want retailers to provide world leading support to customers who are struggling through unrealistic payment plans, support to find the most affordable deals for their needs, and easy access to hardship programs to avoid rising energy debt.  We also want government support and interventions to make sure that people on low incomes can still pay for the energy they need.

It’s complicated – The role of people in energy markets is changing. No longer passive recipients of electricity, many households are now generating their own. New and innovative services harnessing ‘smart’ technologies should mean people play an even more active role in driving efficiency savings. But with innovation comes complexity and people will need protection when things go wrong.  We need a fit for purpose energy market regulatory framework with strong consumer protections built in from the beginning so the regulators don’t have to play catch up.  We want an energy market that assists people to access the benefits of new energy products and services, and ensures they have a clear and effective way to resolve all disputes arising from the purchase or use of energy products.