Australian electricity providers start retroactively increasing paid and finalised bills from 8 months ago and the Omnbudsman says its "in the new legislation" This is an open letter to the then energy minister, and current treasurer Josh Frydenberg (Hat Tip he want to be PM)

Dear Minister

Thankyou for taking an active interest in my enquiry.

I am currently undertaking an investigation into the ability of energy providers in NSW to retroactively reverse and increase paid and finalised electricity bills. This is in response to an active issue my client has with origin energy where she has been reissued with a finalised bill that has been increased considerably by the company.

The matter has been presented to the energy ombudsman who when asked how this could happen exclaimed that it’s “only one hundred and eighty seven dollars” and went on to explain that its all in the legislation and energy companies have special terms of service that only apply to them (Thankfully). My client found them extremely arrogant and rude. she “felt like they were batting for the electricity company”.  The office  of fair trade explained it has been removed from their hands.  

Would your office please send me a link to the specific legislation that has legalised the retroactive reversal and increase of paid and finalised electricity bills. It is my understanding that should someone else do this for example a tradesman who increased his fee 8 months after the bill was finalised and sent an increased invoice to a customer (perhaps elderly or otherwise impaired and vulnerable)  would rightly be considered fraudulent and prosecuted in a court of law.

The letter my client recieved with the increased invoice stated “all discounts have been applied to this bill please just pay the bill as normal”. How many people would?

Due to the public interest in this situation where I believe vulnerable people may be actively defrauded by the privatised electricity companies, I have decided to publish this letter online please let me know if you don’t want your reply published and i will summarize it and link to the legislation.

My client is fighting to help prevent this from happening to more vulnerable people at considerable expense to herself. She feels that if the “honorable” Mr Josh Frydenberg is responsible for this legislation people need to know. 

I look forward to your reply.

Kind Regards David Rutherford