Consumer Reps Forum

In July 2009, Ombudsman, Fiona McLeod, joined with Clare Petre, Ombudsman, Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) to make a presentation to the annual External Dispute Resolution (EDR) Forum for consumer representatives.

This one day event has, for some years now, been sponsored by a number of industry-based Ombudsman schemes (including EWOV and EWON). It runs alongside the annual conference of the Australian Financial Counselling & Credit Reform Association (AFCCRA).

The Energy Ombudsman presentation covered three aspects of customer hardship—National Energy Customer Framework proposals for customers in financial hardship and hardship provisions and issues in each of Victoria and NSW.

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Presentations to the Chinese community

We've been working with the Federation of Chinese Associations Victoria to make presentations to Chinese community groups.

As well as explaining the role of EWOV, we've discussed energy marketing and hardship issues. The talks were simultaneously translated—we also distributed an information sheet in Mandarin.


Helping to build the skills of financial counsellors

In early August 2009, we ran some training for trainee financial counsellors through the Financial and Consumer Rights Council (FCRC). The training was co-ordinated byJennifer Gracie of Wesley Mission, Sydney, and funded by the Commonwealth Department of Family Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).


Informing overseas groups about EWOV

We're often asked to help overseas groups—from regulatory, government and consumer organisations—understand how EWOV works.

For example, at the request of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Frances Wood, our Manager Public Affairs & Policy, recently presented by video-teleconference to the Consumer Consultative Committee of the Tanzanian Energy Regulatory Authority.

These interactions are always interesting—partly because the issues raised by those from other countries are often quite different to the ones people are facing here—in this case, the Tanzanian consumer representatives spoke about significant problems with infrastructure (poles, wires, pipes) inefficiency and electricity theft.

What does this mean for you? Members of the EWOV team are available to speak to groups in your area. If you’re interested, please contact Tanja Stephan, our Stakeholder Relations Officer: tanja.stephan@ewov.com.au

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From our Chinese Community presentations