Energy Sector Working Together in World First Customer Initiative

More than 10 million Australian energy customers are set to benefit after the launch of a world-first, cross-sector energy industry framework focussed on better customer outcomes.

The Energy Charter is the first time that all parts of the energy supply chain have come together and committed to a disclosure framework to help deliver a more affordable, reliable and sustainable energy system for all Australians.

Seventeen businesses from across the energy supply chain are the initial signatories to The Energy Charter, with more energy business expected to follow.

Inaugural Chair of the CEO Council for The Energy Charter, John Cleland (CEO, Essential Energy) said the Energy Charter recognised that the community expects the energy industry to do more on energy affordability and deliver better customer service.

“The energy industry is undergoing a period of tremendous change and energy businesses need to transform accordingly. The Energy Charter provides a framework for the energy industry to work together across the supply chain to deliver energy for a better Australia,” Mr Cleland said.

“It will allow our customers to more clearly see what we are doing for them, and in turn hear from them about what we could do better.

“It will help to drive greater accountability and new thinking. We will demonstrate how we are improving energy affordability; how we are delivering reliable, sustainable and safe energy; and how we are putting the customer at the centre of our business.”

Accountability is a key part of the Energy Charter with the national consumer advocate, Energy Consumers Australia, to host an independent Accountability Panel to review disclosures and produce an annual evaluation report. Dr Wendy Craik AM has accepted the position as the inaugural Chair of the Accountability Panel.

Dr Craik is the current Chair of the Climate Change Authority and the NSW Marine Estate Management Authority. She was appointed to the Reserve Bank Board in May 2018. She is also a Board Member on the Advisory Board for the Centre for Strategy and Governance and the Australian Farm Institute.

She has previously served as a Commissioner at the Productivity Commission, President of the National Competition Council, Executive Director of National Farmers Federation and Executive Officer of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

The development of the Energy Charter has benefited from the contributions of stakeholders from the energy sector, government, business and consumer representatives.

The release of the Energy Charter follows a public consultation period in September 2018. The Energy Charter took effect on 1 January 2019. The first business disclosures will be in September 2019.