The Queensland Government has proposed a regulation change that will allow Queensland households with smart meters to revert to flat tariffs.
The proposed change will allow energy consumers moved to time of use tariffs following the installation of a smart meter to return to a flat tariff.
The State Government said that the change is designed to pair with the Australian Energy Market Commission’s three-year ban on tariff changes without consent.
The Queensland Government lobbied for the new rules through the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council after recieving 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. They are, however, obliged to notify the customer of the change before the next bill is sent.
The Queensland Government said that 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.
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.
“Every bit counts and it’s my commitment that we will continue to give Queenslanders the helping hand they need,” Mr Miles said.
Queensland Energy Minister, Mick de Brenni, said that the State Government will 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.”
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