Gippslanders will no longer be subject to the nuisance practices of telemarketers spruiking the Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) scheme.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said a ban on telemarketing and doorknocking for the VEU is now in effect as a result of a review of the practices that was secured by The Nationals.
“Accredited providers of the VEU scheme are no longer allowed to cold call or doorknock to promote products and services,” Mr O’Brien said.
Mr O’Brien said he wrote to the Minister for Energy back in 2022 urging action after his office was inundated with complaints about the telemarketing practices of accredited providers under the VEU scheme.
“The Minister responded at the time and offered assurances that they had the situation under control by introducing a “Code of Conduct” for these contractors, but anecdotal evidence proved that the invasive and disruptive telemarketing practices of these accredited providers did not subside,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The code of conduct that governed the accredited providers under the program stated that they could not call the same household twice within 30 days – the problem remained that there were multiple companies contacting the same household.
“Fast forward two years and I am grateful that commonsense has prevailed and we will no longer be subjected to these nuisance telemarketing practices.”
Mr O’Brien said the Essential Services Commission (ESC) will monitor compliance with the new laws, with companies found to be in breach liable for fines of up to $46,000.
“The tactics that have been used by many of these VEU providers have been extremely disruptive and often intimidating, particularly for our more vulnerable residents.
“I encourage anyone who is cold-called or doorknocked by a VEU provider to report the breach in order to deter these unnecessary telemarketing practices.”
Mr O’Brien said people could report breaches of the new laws by calling the commission on 03 9032 1310 or by emailing veu@esc.vic.gov.au.
Residents can also lodge a complaint with Consumer Affairs Victoria online at https://forms.consumer.vic.gov.au/gef or by calling 131 450.