NETCC Council Meeting - February 2023

This is a summary of the NETCC Council meeting held on 9 February 2023. Communiques of each meeting are produced so that stakeholders can be informed about the work of the Council and its implementation of the Code.

Council membership

The Chair welcomed to the Council Luke Lovell, the new representative of Consumer Action Law Centre (CALC).

Program launch update

The Chair congratulated the CEC on behalf of Council on the successful launch of the NETCC program. The CEC provided Council with an update on the launch:

• The transition from the Approved Solar Retailer (ASR) program to the NETCC was conducted in two phases. ASRs with a renewal date in February 2023 were invited to join the NETCC program on 18 January 2023. The remaining ASRs were invited on 1 February 2023.
• A key task for the CEC over the coming weeks is to ensure all ASRs login to the new NETCC portal and recognise that they have been transitioned from being a signatory of the Solar Retailer Code of Conduct to being a signatory of the NETCC.
• 800 businesses have logged into the portal to date.As the program has formally launched, the CEC has commenced delivering outcomes on applications submitted under the NETCC pilot program. ASRs with compliance action in progress have not yet been transitioned to the NETCC program. These businesses will only be transitioned if their outstanding remedial actions are completed within the designated timeframes.
• A campaign to promote greater consumer and industry awareness of the Approved Seller brand will commence shortly. The aim of this marketing is to increase consumer awareness of the benefits of purchasing through an Approved Seller, and to ensure that Approved Sellers see the new credential for their business promoted within the industry.
• The appointment of the Finance Delegate is in progress.

SCO update

Council agreed to write to SCO (Energy Council Senior Committee of Officials) to update them on the launch of the NETCC program.

Tasmanian Energy Saver Loan Scheme

In December 2022 the Chair and Council members met with the Minister for Energy and Renewables in Tasmania, Guy Barnett, to discuss the decision to require Approved Seller status for participants in the state’s new Energy Saver Loan Scheme.

The Minister was informed of the different ways in which the NETCC clarifies the general principles of the Australian Consumer Law in relation to New Energy Tech and extends and strengthens existing protections. This information was sourced from the determinations of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Competition Tribunal to grant authorisation to the NETCC. The CEC advised the Minister of the process undertaken to determine the NETCC fees, including the extensive consultation that was undertaken with Council and ASRs. It was noted that the large majority of program participants pay the minimum annual fee. The Chair noted that the NETCC had been developed at the request of the energy ministers through SCO.

Following consultations with Council, industry and other stakeholders, the Tasmanian Government has confirmed that Approved Seller status will continue to be a requirement under the Energy Saver Loan Scheme.

Governance

Council confirmed the finalisation of governance arrangements between Council and the CEC, noting that further discussions will be held as required as the program becomes more established.

Code Monitoring and Compliance Panel

The consumer representative on the panel has been appointed, and progress is being made on the industry representative appointment.

Meeting with large provider

The CEC and a Council representative will meet with a large provider to respond to their queries on the NETCC’s requirements. These queries have been useful in clarifying how the general principles of the NETCC should be applied in practice, particularly for large businesses with diverse offerings.

Solar Month

The CEC will be launching a ‘Solar Month’ initiative throughout March. This campaign aims to raise awareness and confidence amongst consumers around purchasing solar PV and energy storage systems. Solar Month will also champion success stories and current projects from businesses in the industry. Next meeting: 23 March 2023.