The Queensland Government has put forward new regulations that will allow energy customers with smart meters to return to flat tariffs.
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.
This change builds on the State Government’s existing proposal to prohibit electricity retailers from automatically switching customers to time of use tariffs without their consent, and is designed to pair with the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) three-year ban on tariff changes without consent.
The Queensland Government lobbied for the new rules through the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council following feedback that 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, South East Queensland retailers can assign any customer on a smart meter to a demand or time-of-use energy tariff, however they are obliged to notify the customer of the change before the next bill is sent.
Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, said that 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,” Mr Miles said.
“Every bit counts and it’s my commitment that we will continue to give Queenslanders the helping hand they need.”
Queensland Energy Minister, Mick de Brenni, said that Queensland Government will champion better protections for consumers and always take action to help Queenslanders in every way it can.
“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,” Mr de Brenni said.
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