96BEnergy ombudsman scheme

96B Energy ombudsman scheme

96B Energy ombudsman scheme

(1) The Minister may approve an energy ombudsman scheme for the purposes of this Act, the National Energy Retail Law (NSW), the Gas Supply Act 1996, regulations or rules under those Acts or that Law and any other law prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section.

(1A) The scheme may provide for the appointment of an energy ombudsman to deal with the following—

(a) matters that are to be dealt with by the energy ombudsman under the National Energy Retail Law (NSW),

(b) disputes and complaints between small customers and exempt sellers or other persons exempted from the National Energy Retail Law (NSW), this Act or the Gas Supply Act 1996 in relation to the supply of electricity or gas,

(c) disputes and complaints between small customers and retailers or distributors under this Act,

(d) disputes and complaints between small customers and reticulators under the Gas Supply Act 1996,

(e) (Repealed)

(f) any other disputes and complaints of such classes as are prescribed by the regulations or specified under any other Act or law.

(2) Before approving such a scheme, the Minister must be satisfied that the scheme meets the following objectives—

(a) that all licence holders, exempt sellers and retailers who are required to be members of the scheme are members of the scheme, have agreed to be bound by decisions of the energy ombudsman under the scheme and, as members, are so bound,

(b) that the scheme has satisfactory arrangements in place to deal with all disputes and complaints referred to in subsection (1A),

(c) that the energy ombudsman will be able to operate independently of all licence holders, exempt sellers and retailers in exercising functions under the scheme,

(d) that the scheme will be accessible to small customers and other customers prescribed by the regulations,