In 2001, the Government established the Essential Services Commission to ensure that best practice economic regulation applied not only to industries traditionally subject to such regulation in the energy sector, but also to other sectors, most notably the water industry.
To ensure that the Commission and the legislative framework within which it operates remain relevant, a review of the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 was required to be completed by 31 December 2006. The Review was conducted by Mr Roger Beale AO, who was supported on technical and administrative matters by officers from the Department of Treasury and Finance.
On 22 December 2006, Mr Beale presented his report titled Review of the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 to the Government. It was tabled in Parliament on 13 March 2007.
Review of the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (570 kb PDF)
The Minister for Finance released the Government's response in March 2007. The Government recognises the merit of many of Mr Beale’s recommendations, several of which are primarily technical in nature and in line with good regulatory practice.
Strategic Government Response to the Review of the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (76 kb PDF)
The Essential Services Commission Amendment Act 2008 was passed by Parliament on 23 April 2008.
Further Information
Media release: review of the Essential Services Commission Act
Terms of Reference (20 kb PDF)
Issues Paper (78 kb PDF)
Submissions received in response to the Issues Paper
