Origin Energy may face $1.1m fine
ORIGIN Energy faces a million-dollar fine if the ACCC discovered the electricity company was using the carbon price as an excuse to increase Queensland power bills by $400 a year.
Australia's business watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, would not last night commit to investigating Origin Energy's power bill price increases to 430,000 Queenslanders.
A spokesman for ACCC chairman Rod Sims would only say the watchdog - which this month launched a carbon price claims hotline - could start court action with a $1.1 million fine.
"The ACCC can investigate and take action against businesses that make false or misleading claims," the organisation said in a statement.
"The ACCC could issue an infringement notice of $66,000 for a listed company, or the ACCC could initiate court action where the maximum penalty is up to $1.1 million per breach of the act."
Read more at Brisbanetimes.com.au
