Origin Energy hit with $1.5m fine for giving out details of domestic violence victims to

Origin Energy has been hit with a landmark fine for putting domestic violence victims at risk by giving out personal details, including phone numbers and addresses.

Origin Energy is facing more than $1.5m in fines for putting domestic violence victims at risk by handing out personal details. Picture: Contributed

One of Australia’s biggest energy companies has been hit with a landmark $1.5m fine for putting domestic violence victims at risk by giving out personal details.

The Essential Services Commission issued penalty notices totalling $1,597,668 for alleged breaches of family violence provisions built in to Victoria’s energy rules to stop information, including homes addresses and phone numbers, being handed out to third parties.

It came after 16 customers were impacted by breaches.

Origin Energy was fined for taking debt recovery action against people fleeing domestic violence. Picture: Carla Gottgens

The company was also fined for taking debt recovery action against people fleeing from domestic violence on 38 occasions between June 2021 and March 2024.

Essential Services Commission Chairperson Gerard Brody said Origin’s conduct was disappointing.

“This penalty shows the Essential Services Commission is determined to ensure retailers

follow those rules,” he said.

“Energy and water businesses are legally obliged to protect customer information, ensure access to payment assistance, and provide customers with connections to specialist family violence services. The vast majority do.”

Sixteen customers were affected by the breaches. Picture: File Image

The changes to the Energy Retail Code came into effect on 1 January 2020 after it was among the 227 recommendations of the world-first Royal Commission into Family Violence.

The commission panel heard stories about victims being chased down or controlled economically by their partners using energy bill information.

At the time minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said: “Energy supply and bills should never be used as tools to threaten or hurt people – these new consumer protections mean energy retailers will play their part in combating the scourge of family violence.”

An Origin spokesman said: “We apologise for not meeting our regulatory obligations to our customers in these instances.

“We self-reported the breaches to the Essential Services Commission, cooperated with the investigation and have taken significant steps to improve our processes and procedures.

“These breaches largely occurred due to human error. We have since completed a comprehensive refresh of our training for customer service staff to reduce the risk of human error and future incidents occurring.