On 8 July 2011 the AER hosted its fifth Customer Consultative Group meeting. The meeting was primarily devoted to a workshop on approaches to improving energy literacy within the community and customer education. Outcomes from the workshop will inform the development of the AER’s energy customer education strategy in the lead up to and after commencement of the National Energy Retail Law.
The workshop discussion covered a range of topics, including:
- The types of messages that the AER should be conveying to customers
- The most effective means of communicating the AER’s message to a range of community sectors including customers who are experiencing financial hardship, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and the aged
- The use of social media to communicate with energy customers and
- The AER’s customer information sheets which will be posted on the AER’s website in late July.
The Group also discussed the online price comparator service that the AER will be required to develop and operate under the National Energy Retail Law. The AER price comparator website will assist small customers to compare electricity and gas offers. The AER will commence public consultation on the price comparator website in August 2011.
The Customer Consultative Group meets up to three times a year and has nine current members—Australian Council of Social Service, Australian Council on the Ageing, Australian Industry Group, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Consumer Action Law Centre, Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, South Australian Farmers Federation and UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide.