From the Interim CEO
My name is Jacqueline Crawshaw and it is a privilege to write my first newsletter message to you as Interim CEO for Energy Consumers Australia. I’ve been with ECA for almost five years and have stepped into this role from my position as Director Policy, Energy Services and Markets. The Board are in the process of recruiting a permanent CEO and we will keep you informed about the outcome.
When I accepted the role, I did so with a mixture of excitement and a deep sense of responsibility. We are working on one of the most important and complex issues of our time during a transformation that will have major implications for households and small businesses. With this comes huge opportunities to create a better energy system that serves the values, wants, and needs of consumers. And to be working collaboratively to shape these outcomes is a privilege for everyone at ECA.
The significance of the challenge was driven home to me again over the past month when we released our latest Energy Consumer Sentiment Survey (ECSS) and our SME Retail Tariff Tracker, both of which showed the increasingly difficult situation that consumers are facing as energy prices rise.
Our ECSS found that concerns about energy affordability are front of mind for most Australians, with 52% of households more concerned about paying their electricity bills than they were a year ago. And that research was undertaken before some retailers announced that they will be increasing their market offers by as much as 55% from 1 July, significantly above what the regulators approved for standing offers. This is clearly a bad outcome for consumers and will cause increased financial stress for many households and small businesses. Similarly, our SME Retail Tariff Tracker found that electricity bills have risen by 18% and gas bills by 22% for small businesses across the country.
Consumer confidence that the energy industry is working in their long-term interests also remains low. The ECSS found that only one in three households and fewer than one in two small businesses are confident in the energy market. We also asked respondents whether they believe they had received clear communications from groups such as Government, retailers, and the media, about how the transition would impact them. Only one in five households believe they have. We can and must do better. Clear and accessible information, provided by trusted messengers, at the right time, and in the right way, will help empower Australians and enable them to better manage their energy costs and take control of their energy use. In the research we found a clear pattern that those consumers who felt best informed, also felt most confident about the energy transition.
Undoubtedly, there will be difficult months ahead for many households and small businesses. The Federal Government’s Bill Relief measures go some way to easing the pressure on eligible households. But this will not be enough for many families and groups experiencing disadvantage. We know there are simple and affordable things that Australians can do to reduce their energy use and bring their bills down without having to sacrifice comfort. If you haven't already, visit our Consumer Advice Hub which includes information for households and small businesses about how to reduce energy bills. We encourage you to share these resources with your networks, customers, and constituents.
I look forward to working together to navigate the difficult times ahead and ensure that consumers are placed at the heart of all solutions. It is only then that we can deliver clean, affordable, and reliable energy for all Australians.
Jacqueline Crawshaw
Interim Chief Executive Officer
