Valley residents will no longer be subject to the nuisance practices of telemarketers spruiking the Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) scheme with door-knocking next on the chopping block.
The Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the ban on telemarketing and door-knocking for the VEU comes after a review of the practices that was secured by The Nationals.
“From May accredited providers of the VEU scheme are not allowed to cold call a person to promote products and services with a ban on doorknocking to come into effect on August 1,” he said.
The changes also mean that providers and participants cannot purchase a person’s contact details from a third party or arrange a contractor or other agent to call or doorknock on their behalf.
“Even residents who had signed up to the Do Not Call register were being repeatedly harassed and coerced by people promoting products from heaters and hot water systems to showerheads, clothes dryers and fridges,” Mr Cameron said.
“These new bans are a protection for residents, particularly the elderly, who might not be able to advocate effectively for themselves and are pressured into signing up for products and services they do not want, under the guise of it being cost-saving.
“People have rightly had enough of companies and third parties overstepping the mark to spruik their products under this program, and I am pleased that advocacy from The Nationals on behalf of community members has pushed the State Government to act.”
The Essential Services Commission will monitor compliance with the new laws, with companies found to be in breach liable for fines of up to $46,000. They can also be suspended or removed from the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
People can 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.
