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Vulnerable and medically dependent electricity consumers still lack the protections that were recommended four years ago. In 2019, the Electricity Price Review made a series of recommendations to the sector, with the government supporting most of them. One recommendation was to establish, within 12 months, mandatory minimum standards to protect vulnerable and medically dependent consumers, particularly the process around disconnecting power when people are unable to pay their bills. But the Consumer Advocacy Council is questioning why, four years later, no progress has been made to introduce these standards. Kathryn speaks with Deborah Hart, the chair of the council, an independent advocate for residential and small business electricity consumers.
