The Justice and Equity Centre (JEC) made a submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in response to its consultation on unsolicited selling and lead generation. Through our collaboration with community organisations and service providers, we have gathered compelling evidence of harmful unsolicited selling practices, particularly in the sale of solar panels and other Consumer Energy Resources. This disproportionately affects vulnerable groups including older people, First Nations communities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those living with disabilities or mental health challenges.
In our submission, we call for urgent reforms to protect people from coercive and exploitative sales tactics. Specifically, we recommend a comprehensive, economy-wide ban on unsolicited selling, stronger regulation of lead generation with clear consent and data-use disclosures, and increased penalties for misconduct – especially where vulnerable consumers are targeted. This review represents a vital opportunity to restore trust in energy services and help build a fair, inclusive transition to a decarbonised energy future.
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