Consumers who rely on critical continuous energy supply in their homes, such as those dependent on medical devices such as ventilators or dialysis machines, face significant challenges and potential significant health threats when the power goes out. 

With an ageing Australian population and a rise in home-based medical care, the risks for consumers using medical equipment, especially to sustain their lives, are increased due to more frequent natural disasters causing power outages.  

So how can consumers stay safe during planned and unplanned power outages? And how can the energy sector better support their consumers who use medical equipment in the home? 

Join Consumers Health Forum of Australia for an essential webinar in partnership with The Energy Charter to explore how we’re working collaboratively with health and medical professionals, alongside energy businesses, to ensure consumers are better prepared when the power goes out. 

Hear from experts and consumers from The Energy Charter’s Life Support in the Home Lived Experience Panel on pending changes underway to develop improved protections for consumers. 

You’ll learn:  

• What happens when the power goes out and what you can do 

• How to develop a reliable backup power plan 

• Upcoming energy sector changes enhancing supports for Life Support Customers 

This webinar is not to be missed for consumers using life support equipment, family and carers, healthcare professionals, social workers and service providers. 

Date: Thursday 7 November 2024 

Australian locations to register to attend the live online webinar: 

VIC/NSW/ACT/TAS: 2:30pm – 4pm AEDT 

WA: 11:30am – 1pm AWST 

QLD: 1:30pm – 3pm AEST 

SA: 2pm – 3:30pm ACDT 

NT: 1pm – 2:30pm ACST 

REGISTER NOW

A recording of the webinar will be made available post-event on CHF’s YouTube channel. 

Guest panellists:  

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Adam Johnston is a solicitor, holding a Masters of Law from the University of New England, Armidale, and a Graduate Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. During his studies, he was a Senate Intern, and a delegate to both the 1998 Constitutional Convention on a Republic and the 2001 Corowa People's Conference.   

He is a former long-term Member of the Government Solicitors Committee of the Law Society of NSW and has worked in various complaint handling roles for the NSW Ombudsman and the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON). He serves on a number of advisory and governance committees as a Consumer Advisor to Northern Sydney Local Health Service, is a member of Health Consumers NSW and CHF.   

He is also currently the Deputy Chair of the RACP Ethics Committee, a member of the NSW Ministry of Health’s Ethics Advisory Panel, and a member of the Northern Sydney LHD Board.  

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Carolyn Campbell-McLean is a consultant trainer, MC and public speaker, holding an Honours degree in Social Work from Western Sydney University. She has over 25 years’ experience working in adult education, disability, government and community organisations. Carolyn trains and mentors others to take control of their lives and is currently Senior Community Support Specialist at Muscular Dystrophy NSW.  

Carolyn has lived with a physical disability her whole life. She is a power wheelchair user and has recruited her team of support workers to assist her to live independently for the past 25 years. She has support four times per day for all personal care, housework helps and to use a bipap machine to breath every night.  

In 2005, Carolyn’s husband Danny died when the power went out and his ventilators back up battery failed. Their electronic front door also made it difficult for paramedics to enter the home. Since then, Carolyn has been advocating for improvements for life support customers and educating consumers, energy providers and community workers about the practical consequences of power interruptions and importance of energy for people with disability and encourages everyone to create a back-up plan for emergencies.  

Carolyn hopes to create systemic change in her role as Deputy Chair of the Energy Charters Lived Experience Panel.  

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 Dr John Zorbas | Specialist Emergency and Intensive Care Physician | Royal Darwin Hospital

Dr. John Zorbas is a dedicated Specialist Emergency Physician and Intensive Care Physician at Royal Darwin Hospital, where he has been instrumental in overseeing a busy emergency department that serves a diverse patient population, including a significant number of paediatric and Indigenous Australians in remote locations.

With extensive experience in both intensive care and emergency medicine, he is committed to training junior staff and improving healthcare delivery. Dr. Zorbas's passion for Indigenous health and trauma care drives his efforts to enhance patient outcomes in challenging environments including life support in the home.

LinkedIn: John Zorbas

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Sabiene Heindl is the CEO of the Energy Charter, a pioneering coalition of energy organizations united by a shared passion for putting customers and communities at the heart of the energy transition. With a proven track record of driving transformational change, Sabiene brings a wealth of experience from senior leadership roles in energy, telecommunications, media and legal sectors.  

With a strong background as a corporate lawyer and a deep commitment to people-driven outcomes, Sabiene is passionate about shaping the future of energy through purpose-driven leadership and inspiring decision-making that creates meaningful impact for all.  

LinkedIn: Sabiene Heindl    

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Mike Cole is the Head of Customer at Essential Energy, leading customer and consumer experience over many years. Passionate about supporting vulnerable customers, Mike drives initiatives that create shared value for businesses, customers, and communities.   

As Chair of the Industry Working Group for the Energy Charter, he enhances outcomes for customers and communities across Australia, ensuring the energy sector stays responsive to consumer needs.  
LinkedIn: Mike Cole  

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 Sophie McRae | Head of Customer Experience | SA Power Networks

Sophie McRae’s career at SA Power Networks spans over 17 years, during which she has held various leadership positions including Head of Customer Operations and Billing & Credit Manager. Currently serving as the Head of Customer Experience, Sophie leads a large operations team, overseeing the delivery of customer services and meter to cash functions. She is also responsible for the delivery of the digital customer services transformation and customer insights program.

Sophie holds a Bachelor of Management from UniSA. Her leadership style is marked by collaboration, resilience and a dedication to improving customer outcomes.

LinkedIn: Sophie McRae