Australia news live: Ben Roberts-Smith awaits appeal verdict
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In Victoria, the Essential Services Commission is expected to propose a suite of reforms today aimed at easing energy hardship.
The proposed changes will include obligations for retailers to move customers receiving assistance under the Payment Difficulty Framework onto their cheapest plan, and address the 'loyalty penalty' where consumers on expensive contracts more than four years old must be switched to a reasonable price.
In response, Consumer Action Law Centre said it strongly supports the draft decision, which will help the increasing number of Victorians struggling with energy costs and growing debt.
Consumer Action senior policy officer, Eirene Tsolidis Noyce said:
People who call the National Debt Helpline tell us they often forego other expenses in order to meet their electricity costs - one of the proposals is that people experiencing energy poverty are identified and supported to find a more competitive offer and prevented from accruing larger debts.
The ESC's draft decision estimates Victorians could save up to $730 per year on electricity, and up to $1,890 per year on gas bills by requiring retailers to automatically switch consumers in payment difficulty to their best offer. For those stuck on bad deals, the dollar amount is likely to be much higher.
These reforms will address some longstanding issues in the energy market, making it easier for Victorians to access an affordable energy price. Share
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then my colleague Rafqa Touma will take over.
Our top story this morning concerns the meeting yesterday between the new Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, and her Nationals counterpart, David Littleproud. Ley said progress on a new cooperation agreement with the Nationals would take time, but the problem areas promise to be a Nationals push to ditch net zero policies and even end the longstanding coalition with the Liberals. More coming up.
It's a huge day in the courts for disgraced special forces veteran Ben Roberts-Smith, who will learn today whether he has cleared his name of war crime allegations. The ruling by three justices is expected in Sydney this morning and we'll have their verdict as soon as it's out. Share
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