Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I ask that the name of Senator Walsh be added to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Walsh, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) in May 2019, the Victorian Essential Services Commission agreed to update its Energy Retail Code (the Code) to improve protections for customers affected by family violence, with effect from 1 January 2020,

  (ii) changes to the Code implement a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, and were developed in consultation with energy and community sector participants, and

  (iii) the revised Code will provide practical support and protection to those experiencing domestic and family violence by requiring energy providers to:

     (A) adopt policies to assist customers affected by family violence, including through consideration for hardship programs,

     (B) provide customers experiencing family violence with flexible assistance in managing their personal and financial security,

     (C) develop policies to ensure the privacy of contact details are protected in a situation where a customer is escaping a family violence situation, and

     (D) provide comprehensive and ongoing training to all responsible staff regarding family violence;

(b) commends the Victorian Government and the Essential Services Commission for adopting these measures; and

(c) calls on the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction to discuss the development of a national framework of Family Violence Support Provisions for Energy Retailers with Energy Ministers at the upcoming COAG Energy Council Meeting.

Question agreed to.