Victorian Numbered Acts

ENERGY LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (GENERAL) ACT 2014 (NO. 3 OF 2014) - SECT 19

After section 48G of the Gas Industry Act 2001 insert —

        " 48GA     Review of financial hardship policy at the direction of Commission

    (1)     This section applies if the Commission is of the opinion that a financial hardship policy of a licensee requires review.

    (2)     The Commission may direct the licensee to review the policy and, if necessary—

        (a)     make variations so that the policy complies with section 48GC; or

        (b)     replace the policy with a policy that complies with section 48GC.

    (3)     On receiving a direction under subsection (2), a licensee must—

        (a)     vary or replace the policy in accordance with any direction of the Commission; and

        (b)     submit the amended financial hardship policy to the Commission for approval under section 48I.

        48GB     Licensee may submit variation to, or replacement of, financial hardship policy for approval

A licensee may submit to the Commission a variation to, or a replacement of, a financial hardship policy for approval under section 48I.

        48GC     Content of financial hardship policies

A policy submitted in accordance with section 48G(1), or an amended financial hardship policy submitted in accordance with section 48GA(3)(b) or 48GB, must include—

        (a)     flexible payment options for payment of gas bills; and

        (b)     provision for the auditing of a domestic customer's gas usage (whether wholly or partly at the expense of the licensee); and

        (c)     flexible options for the purchase or supply of replacement gas appliances designed for domestic use from the licensee or a third party nominated by the licensee; and

        (d)     processes for the early response by both licensees and domestic customers to gas bill payment difficulties.".