❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Treasurer regarding Synergy's overcharging of closed accounts, specifically about self-reporting to the ERA and subsequent government notification. The Treasurer's response confirms Synergy self-reported before the ERA report and implemented process improvements.
AnsweredQoN 861Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Synergy—Closed accounts—Payments
861. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Treasurer:
I refer to the Economic
Regulation Authority's investigation into Synergy's acceptance of payments for
closed accounts that led to the admission by Synergy last Friday that this
included nearly 174,000 residential and commercial customers for a total of $40
million.
(1) Did Synergy self-report to the ERA that many
additional payments had been made to closed accounts beyond the nearly 3,000
identified by the ERA in its 14 July 2025 public report and, if so, on what
date did the ERA receive that self-report?
(2) If yes to (1), did that notification occur
before the release of the ERA report on 14 July?
(3) Subsequent to self-notification by Synergy of
the additional cases, did the ERA advise the Treasurer or any other member of
the government of that notification?
(4) If yes to (2), which members of the government
were notified and on what dates?
(5) Has the ERA advised or directed Synergy to
take action to prevent payments being made to closed accounts and, if so, on
what date and what advice was given?
861. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Treasurer:
I refer to the Economic
Regulation Authority's investigation into Synergy's acceptance of payments for
closed accounts that led to the admission by Synergy last Friday that this
included nearly 174,000 residential and commercial customers for a total of $40
million.
(1) Did Synergy self-report to the ERA that many
additional payments had been made to closed accounts beyond the nearly 3,000
identified by the ERA in its 14 July 2025 public report and, if so, on what
date did the ERA receive that self-report?
(2) If yes to (1), did that notification occur
before the release of the ERA report on 14 July?
(3) Subsequent to self-notification by Synergy of
the additional cases, did the ERA advise the Treasurer or any other member of
the government of that notification?
(4) If yes to (2), which members of the government
were notified and on what dates?
(5) Has the ERA advised or directed Synergy to
take action to prevent payments being made to closed accounts and, if so, on
what date and what advice was given?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. I provide the following answer on behalf of the Treasurer.
(1)–(5) Synergy self-reported to the ERA
prior to 14 July. Synergy has advised the ERA that its process improvements,
including improvements to its automated customer account management systems,
would address all forms of overpayment.
question. I provide the following answer on behalf of the Treasurer.
(1)–(5) Synergy self-reported to the ERA
prior to 14 July. Synergy has advised the ERA that its process improvements,
including improvements to its automated customer account management systems,
would address all forms of overpayment.
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