Vic: Electricity bungle in hands of regulator general Bracks

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2000
Vic: Electricity bungle in hands of regulator general Bracks

MELBOURNE, Aug 22 AAP - Any action against electricity company Citipower for failing
to send regular bills to thousands of Melbourne homes would be left to the Office of the
Regulator-General, Victorian Premier Steve Bracks said today.

The Herald-Sun newspaper reported 15,000 homes faced power bills of up to $600 because
a computer error meant Citipower had failed to send their regular quarterly bills.

The lapse meant customers would be hit with a "catchup" bill much higher than their
regular bills.

Mr Bracks said the regulator-general was investigating the matter.

"He'll report on that and if there is a wrong billing, well then, that will be rectified
through instructions from his office," Mr Bracks told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

He said the regulator-general had powers to fine electricity companies.

AAP tsc/jd mg

KEYWORD: POWER BRACKS

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