Australia’s largest energy retailer, Origin Energy, has been slapped with close to half a million dollars in fines after cutting power and gas to struggling Victorians without providing any clear payment help options. Origin self-reported the breaches to Victoria’s Essential Services Commission (ESC) which found that, between February 2019 and February 2020, the retailer had failed to adequately inform 349 customers about payment alternatives before their lights were cut and hot water switched off. “Disconnection of an essential service is a huge step,” said ESC Commissioner Sitesh Bhojani in a statement. “It really must be a last resort because of its essential nature.” “There are many reasons why a customer may struggle to meet an energy debt—language barriers, domestic violence, and financial difficulties are just a few examples,” Bhojani said. The commission charged Origin $450,000 for multiple violations of the Energy Retail Code, which states that retailers must use their …