The National Energy Retail Law (Queensland) Bill 2014 was passed by the Queensland Parliament on 10 September 2014 (NERL). This law has shifted Queensland to a national framework that will regulate the sale and supply of energy (electricity and gas) to consumers from 1 July 2015.
A pre-election COTA Queensland survey of 128 older residents conducted in November and December 2014 identified three recurring concerns - health, cost of living, and transport.
It is also good news for other holders of a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card, such as veterans, people with disability, carers, and single parents who rely on state government concessions for access to electricity, water, and transport.