Ministerial statement of expectations

We regularly receive a statement of expectations from the Assistant Treasurer. The statement sets out the minister’s expectations of our contribution to the Victorian Government’s regulatory reform program.

The statement of expectations identifies areas where we can improve our performance to reduce the cost of regulation on business and the community. It outlines key objectives and targets which we will report on in our annual reports.

Emerging priorities and expectations are to:

• implement the reforms to the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, in line with budget funding and proposed legislation
• work with Local Government Victoria and the local government sector in providing advice to the Minister for Local Government on hardship policies and setting maximum interest rates for late payments
• implement the reforms associated with the Essential Services Commission (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Amendment Act 2021, particularly the new enforcement tools and the establishment of new trusts
• continue to progress the “Getting to fair” strategy to support vulnerable consumers in getting access to essential services, including access to relevant consumer protections and supports, and ongoing delivery of the vulnerability strategy.
• conduct ongoing monitoring of the activities of the Port of Melbourne, including functions as part of the requirements of the Port Management Act 1995, and which are consistent with the commission’s objective to promote the long-term interests of Victorian consumers.