CHOICE vs the energy ‘saver’ plans that actually cost you more

Energy retailers are making bold claims about savings, but are they misleading, or even breaking the law? Australia’s leading consumer advocate, CHOICE, thinks so. They’ve launched their first-ever super complaint under a new framework that lets them bring serious, systemic issues directly to the ACCC. Their focus are retailers marketing so-called ‘saver’ or ‘value’ plans that actually cost more than standard offers. The ACCC has agreed to investigate whether these tactics breach consumer law. Other questionable practices, like offering the same name plan at different prices, or promoting ‘better offers’ that aren’t actually better, have been referred to upcoming regulatory reviews. Jordan Cornelius, Senior Campaigns & Policy Adviser at CHOICE, breaks down the complaint, and what’s at stake for consumers.