Tuesday, 9 December 2025

 Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Minister for Finance) (12:42): In accordance with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, I table a statement of compatibility in relation to the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill 2025:

In accordance with section 28 of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, (Charter), I make this Statement of Compatibility with respect to the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill 2025 (Bill).

In my opinion, the Bill as introduced to the Legislative Assembly, is compatible with the human rights set out in the Charter. I base my opinion on the reasons outlined in this statement.

Overview

The Bill will implement savings decisions of the Victorian Government, deliver public sector efficiencies, and make consequential, related, and other changes to various Acts.

To achieve this the Bill will:

• abolish, reform, and consolidate a number of entities and boards across the Victorian public sector;

• streamline certain Victorian public sector entity governance structures and functions;

• where required, subsume residual required functions and other matters to the Crown;

• streamline or remove regulatory, reporting and compliance requirements;

• improve the general consistency of certain Acts with other enactments and existing Victorian Government policies;

• repeal two Principal Acts; and

• put in place other reforms for other purposes.

Human Rights Issues Overview

The Bill engages the following human rights under the Charter:

• privacy and reputation (section 13);

• freedom of expression (section 15(2));

• taking part in public life (section 18); and

• property rights (section 20).

For the following reasons and having taken into account all relevant factors, I am satisfied that the Bill is compatible with the Charter and, if any rights are limited, the limitation is reasonable and justified in a free and democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom in accordance with section 7(2) of the Charter.

I note that, unless a contrary intention appears in this statement, a reference to a ‘person’ is a reference to an ‘individual’ as only humans can hold human rights in accordance with section 6(1) of the Charter.

Right to privacy and reputation (section 13)

Section 13 of the Charter provides that a person has the right not to have their privacy, family, home, or correspondence unlawfully or arbitrarily interfered with, and the right not to have their reputation unlawfully attacked.

The Charter contains internal qualifications on this right, being that interferences with privacy only limit the right if it is unlawful or arbitrary. An interference will generally be lawful where is it precise and appropriately circumscribed and will generally be arbitrary only where it is capricious, unpredictable, unjust, or unreasonable, in the sense of being disproportionate to the legitimate aim being sought. Therefore, the right to privacy protects a person from government interference, and excessive and unsolicited intervention by other persons.

Privacy is a right of considerable breadth and is difficult to define, and there is considerable jurisprudence, legislation, and policy with respect to the right. However, this broad right can still be subject to reasonable limitation under section 7(2) of the Charter. Further, interference with privacy will not be arbitrary if it is reasonable in the circumstances and in accordance with the Charter.

To the extent that the right may be engaged by the Bill, I have set out an analysis of how it is engaged, and why any engagement is a reasonable limitation.

Transfers of various matter from old entities to new entities by the Bill

The Bill (including Parts 2 (and Schedule 1), 3, 4, 6, and 9) amends a number of Acts to facilitate the transfer of duties, functions and powers, and associated assets, liabilities, matters, obligations, and rights from a range of entities (old entities) to other entities (new entities).

In each instance, the transfer of the above matters (or the enabling of the transfer of them) from each old entity is clearly defined, lawful, and proportionate to the Bill’s objective that each new entity can effectively and validly perform its conferred statutory duties, functions, and powers.

Broadly, the Parliament has previously examined the human rights implications of many of the existing entities’ duties, functions and powers under previous legislation. Accordingly, this statement need only assess any additional or new impacts on the right to privacy that may arise from the transfer of various matters to the new entities established under the Bill, or due to new engagements with the right to privacy.

With that in mind, to the extent that the right to privacy may be engaged by the Bill, I have set out how the right to privacy is engaged by the Bill by exception, and why any impact is limited, justified and reasonable.

Transfer of assets old entities to new entities containing or relating to information about persons

A number of Parts of the Bill will require or enable the transfer of matters from an old entity to a new entity.

The matters transferred, including assets, may incidentally include or refer to information relating to persons. In each instance, the transfer (including disclosure of information) will be to another public body or public entity and is required to enable the new entity to undertake their new lawful duties, functions, or powers and fulfil any relevant liabilities or obligations.

While the transfer of information in this context may limit the right to privacy in the Charter, such a transfer would lawful, precise, and appropriately circumscribed to the legitimate aims of the Bill of ensuring administrative continuity and effective delivery of public functions and services following required machinery of government changes.

Further the new entities are subject to legal obligations in relation to the handling, use and protection of information. Various laws will apply (as relevant) to each new entity, following the transfer including: the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014; the Health Records Act 2001; the Public Records Act 1973, the Charter, and any applicable information protection, secrecy, or confidentiality provisions in the relevant statutory framework for each entity.

Where a body, entity or office is abolished by the Bill, any information must be managed in accordance with existing information, privacy or public record laws. This includes the lawful handling, disclosure or transfer of such information, where appropriate, to the Public Records Office of Victoria.

Any necessary administrative action to comply with relevant information, privacy or public record laws as a result of the Bill’s reforms will be undertaken and there is work underway across the Victorian public sector to give effect to these necessary changes.

Accordingly, while the transfer of functions, powers and assets under the Bill may incidentally involve the transfer or disclosure of information about persons, any such interference with privacy will occur in accordance with law, will pursue a legitimate and proportionate objective, and will not be arbitrary.

Information collection and information sharing agreements in Part 8 of the Bill

Part 8 of the Bill amends provisions of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (MHW Act) that relate to information collection and information sharing agreements. These amendments are relevant to the right to privacy.

Clause 137(1) of the Bill amends section 525(1) of the MHW Act to provide that the exercise of powers by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC) to collect information about a person, including health and personal information, from a specified body must be for the Commission’s exercise of its powers under Parts 9.2 to 9.6 or 9.9 of the MHW Act, including in relation to complaint resolution, investigations and inquiries or complaint data reviews.

The Bill also amends section 526 to provide that the MHWC may no longer collect data and information from data sharing bodies (clause 138) and amends section 527 to clarify the purposes for which the MHWC may enter into an information sharing agreement with a public sector body (clause 139). Further, the effect of the amendments that clause 139 makes to section 527 is that the MHWC may no longer enter into an information sharing agreement on behalf of others. This change is intended to more closely link the MHWC’s ability to access information to the delivery of its functions and reduce third party access to information to specific legislated.

In my view, any interference with the right to privacy in section 13(a) of the Charter would be in accordance with law and proportionate to the legitimate aim of ensuring that the MHWC can effectively discharge its functions, as amended by clause 116 of the Bill, including in relation to dealing with complaint resolution, and conducting investigations, inquiries or complaint data reviews.

Abolition of certain bodies, entities and offices

As set out above, section 13(b) of the Charter provides that a person has the right not to have their reputation unlawfully attacked.

The Bill provides for the abolition of certain bodies, entities and offices and enables the transfer of certain persons, as part of broader machinery of government or administrative reforms. The abolition of a body, entity or office, or transfer of a person, under legislation of this kind is a structural measure concerning the efficient and effective reorganisation of government functions in public administration.

The abolition or transfer does not amount to an assessment of the conduct or competence of any current or former officeholder, or current or former employees (or agents or contractors) of any body, office or entity. Any incidental reputational impact that may arise from the abolition or transfer of a body, entity, office or person, is a lawful and proportionate consequence of the decision to restructure public entities and offices for legitimate administrative purposes.

Relevantly, where transitional provisions apply in the Bill, they preserve accrued rights and obligations and provides for continuity of decisions, actions, and liabilities. These measures ensure that the integrity and effect of the former office, officeholders and persons lawful actions are maintained. For completeness, I note there are also provisions in the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (including sections 14 and 16) that address the effect of the repeal of an Act, or any provision of an Act repealed by the Bill.

Although the Bill’s provisions may engage the right to privacy and reputation, in my view any limitation is negligible or minimal, reasonable and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society consistent with section 7(2) of the Charter. Therefore, the Bill is consistent with the rights in section 13 of the Charter.

Freedom of expression (section 15(2))

Section 15(2) of the Charter provides that every person has the right to freedom of expression which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds orally, in writing, in print, by way of art or in another medium of their choice.

Section 15(3) also provides that special duties and responsibilities attach to this right, and that lawful restrictions may be reasonably necessary to respect personal rights and reputations, and to protect national security, public order, public health, or morality.

The right is not absolute and can be also subject to reasonable limitation under section 7(2) of the Charter. To the extent that the right may be engaged by the Bill, I have set out an analysis of how it is engaged, and why any engagement is a reasonable limitation.

As set out above, the Bill will abolish bodies, entities or offices and reduce the number of certain offices. These include Part 2 (abolition of the Head, Recycling Victoria (RV Head)), Part 3 (abolition of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC)), Part 4 (abolition of the Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority (MLRA)), Part 5 (abolition of the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC) Advisory Board (VPSC Advisory Board)), Part 6 (abolition of the Victorian Government Purchasing Board (VGPB)), Part 7 (abolition of the Road Safety Camera Office (RSCC)) and Part 8 (reduction in the number of Directors and Board members of the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing (VCCMHW) and the number of MHWC commissioners).

The abolition of these bodies, entities or offices and the reduction in number of offices does not prevent persons from expressing their views. Alternative avenues to consult will remain open to those wishing to express their views, including through correspondence and invitations to provide feedback on issues, papers or policy proposals via public and other consultation processes. This will be with responsible Ministers, relevant departments and other bodies or entities.

In terms of some examples:

• The abolition of the VPSC Advisory Board will not prevent persons from expressing their views. Alternative avenues to consult with the VPSC include correspondence and other consultation processes. The VPSC will maintain ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders, where appropriate.

• The abolition of RV Head will not prevent the expression of views to the new entity, being the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), nor the Minister responsible for the EPA.

• The abolition of VEAC will not prevent the expression of views to the new entity, being the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability (CES), nor the responsible Minister responsible, or the relevant Department (presently, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)) for the CES.

• The abolition of the Marine and Coastal Council will not prevent the expression of relevant policy issues to the responsible Minister administering the Marine and Coastal Act 2018, or the relevant Department (presently, the DEECA).

• The abolition of the MLRA will not prevent the expression of views to the new entity, being the relevant Department Head, nor the responsible Minister or the relevant Department (presently, the DEECA).

• The abolition of the RSCC will not preclude persons from expressing their views about road safety camera system issues to the responsible Minister or the responsible Department (presently, the Department of Justice and Community Safety); and

• The abolition of the VGPB will not prevent the expression of views to the responsible Minister, or the relevant Department (presently, the Department of Government Services (DGS)). The VGPB was established in 1995 to enable greater consistency in and better governance of goods and services procurement. The reforms in the Bill do not change what previous important reforms in 2013 and 2021 achieved. They simply move relevant remaining matters from the VGPB to the responsible Minister with support from their department (presently, the DGS) and views can be put to them in lieu of the VGPB, in addition to other departments and agencies. Therefore, the Bill does not prevent persons from expressing their views about government procurement policies, processes, or issues.

• The reduction in numbers of Directors and Board members of the VCCMHW and the number of MHWC commissioners also does not prevent the expression of views to the VCCMHW or the MHWC, nor the responsible Minister or responsible Department (presently, the Department of Health).

For these reasons, although these provisions may engage the right to freedom of expression, in my view any limitation is negligible or minimal, reasonable and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society consistent with section 7(2) of the Charter. Therefore, the Bill is consistent with the right in section 15 of the Charter.

Taking part in public life (section 18)

Section 18 of the Charter states that every eligible person has the right, and is to have the opportunity, without discrimination, to participate in the conduct of public affairs (directly or through freely chosen representatives), and to have access, on general terms of equality, to the Victorian public service and public office. This right applies to all people in Victoria.

The right to access the Victorian public service is not defined in the Charter and there is limited Victorian judicial consideration of the full scope of the right (which is modelled on Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).

It is likely that this right is intended to only apply to a person’s ability to be appointed to or employed in, a public service role or public office, and does not extend to accessing public services provided by the Victorian public service. Noting there is limited judicial consideration, it has also been found to be engaged when a person is participating in public affairs in a local government context, but it has also been noted it does not mean a person can dictate the terms of their engagement in public affairs at least in that context (see Dickson v Yarra Ranges Council [2023] VSC 491). Additionally, some commentators have suggested that the right does not allow a person to dictate the terms of an outcome of any engagement.

To the extent that the right may be engaged by the Bill, I have set out an analysis of how it is engaged, and why any engagement is a reasonable limitation.

For the reasons set out below, although the Bill may engage the right to public life under the Charter, any limit is negligible or minimal, and reasonable and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society consistent with section 7(2) of the Charter. Therefore, the Bill is consistent with the right in section 18 of the Charter.

Right to be appointed or employed in a public service role or public office

As set out above with respect to the right to freedom of expression, the Bill will abolish a number of offices or reduces the number of certain offices. A number of these offices may be considered public offices for the purposes of section 18(2)(b) of the Charter and therefore their abolition or reduction in number may engage the right to take part in public life.

By way of example, Part 8 of the Bill will reduce the number of positions in MHW Act entities. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioners may hold public office for the purposes of section 18(2)(b) of the Charter. However, I do not consider that the right to take part in public life in section 18(2)(b) would be limited by the Bill with respect to Part 8 of the Bill. The right would not be limited by clause 141 of the Bill because the operation of new section 791 in relation to Commissioners ceasing to hold office would not, in my view, constitute discrimination within the meaning of the Charter and the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

Further, Division 1 does not engage rights under the Charter because no Director of the VCCMHW, and no member of the Board of the VCCMHW, will cease to hold office as a consequence of the Bill.

Whilst clause 107(2) substitutes a new section 659(1) of the MHW Act which will reduce the number of Directors to be employed for the Victorian Collaborative Centre from two to one, clause 113 of the Bill inserts new Part 18.4 and new section 788, of the MHW Act which provides that, on the commencement of this provision, the person who held office as a Director of the VCCMHV immediately before continues to hold office as the Director of the VCCMHW on the same terms and conditions. There is currently only one Director of the VCCMHW, and it is intended that the Centre will continue to have only one Director when the Bill commences.

With respect to the Board of the VCCMHW, clause 101 of the Bill amends section 647(3) of the MHW Act to provide that the Board of the VCCMHW consists of a chairperson and at least four other members, instead of a chairperson, deputy chairperson, and between seven and ten members. No current Board member will cease to hold office as a consequence of the Bill. New section 789 of the MHW Act, inserted by clause 113 of the Bill, is a transitional provision. Its effect is that the VCCMHW Board as constituted immediately before the commencement of Division 1 continues until 30 April 2026. This date aligns with the intended end of the appointment term of VCCMHW Board members holding office immediately prior to commencement of Division 1 of Part 8 of the Bill.

By way of further example, the right to take part in public life is engaged in relation to abolishing the VPSC Advisory Board as it precludes people from holding membership of the VPSC Advisory Board. Abolishing the VPSC Advisory Board may also be perceived to limit participation on matters relating to the functions of the VPSC and access public services. However, there are alternative avenues to advocate or consult with the VPSC and the State of Victoria as set out above.

To the extent the Bill makes changes of this nature, consistent and similar analysis applies, such that there is either no engagement with the right or there is a negligible or minimal limitation which is justified with respect to section 18 of the Charter.

Access to public services

In the event it were considered the right did extend to accessing State public services, which is not certain, I refer to my analysis with respect to the right to freedom and expression regarding participation in public affairs, as it applies similarly to accessing State public services, with alternative new entities or other avenues, that could be pursued by a person to take part in public life.

Right to property (section 20)

Section 20 of the Charter provides that a person must not be deprived of their property other than in accordance with law.

There are three elements to this right:

• the interest interfered with must be ‘property’, which includes all real and personal property interests recognised under the general law, which would encompass income, remuneration and allowances;

• the interference must amount to a ‘deprivation’ of property, that is, any ‘de facto expropriation’ by means of a substantial restriction in fact on a person’s use or enjoyment of their property; and

• the deprivation must not be ‘in accordance with law’ in that the law is not adequately accessible and formulated with sufficient precision to enable the person to regulate their conduct. Conversely, for deprivation of a person’s property to be in accordance with law, as required by section 20 of the Charter, the legal authorisation for the deprivation must be publicly accessible, clear, and certain, and it must not operate arbitrarily.

The Bill will provide for the deprivation of income, remuneration or allowances of various offices or officeholders as a statutory consequence of those persons ceasing to hold office, or the reduction in number of offices by the operation of the Bill. However, these provisions are public, clear, certain and would not operate arbitrarily.

Further, for similar reasons explained under my analysis with respect to the right to take part in public life, Division 1 of Part 8 of the Bill does not engage rights under the Charter because no Director or Board member of the VCCMHW, will cease to hold office as a consequence of the Bill.

Accordingly, I consider that the Bill would not limit section 20 of the Charter as it is consistent with the right to property.

Other reforms in the Bill

The following reforms do not engage rights under the Charter:

• the reforms in Part 5 of the Bill which amend the due date of when the VPSC must submit a draft of its Annual Plan to the Premier each year, from 1 May of the preceding financial year to 31 July of the relevant financial year;

• except as noted above, the reforms in Part 6 of the Bill which relate to amending the Financial Management Act 1994 (FMA) to transfer the setting of goods and services procurement policy to the responsible Minister, for the accountable officer of a department or other entity to which the Part applies to ensure compliance with the goods and services policy made by the Minister, and for the Minister to declare any entity to be exempt from the application of the Part;

• the reforms in Division 1 of Part 9 of the Bill which amend the Local Government Act 1989 and the Essential Services Commission Act 2001, as they relate to changes to the functions of the Essential Services Commission (ESC) which is not a person, or they are otherwise minor and technical in nature changes;

• the reforms in Divisions 2 and 3 of Part 9 of the Bill alter the regulatory setting and review arrangements for the non-cash payment surcharge, applicable unbooked services and accident towing service charges, including minor and technical consequential changes to enforcement provisions to align with the altered arrangements;

• the reforms in Division 4 of Part 9 of the Bill which amend the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Act 2024 to clarify that the Parliamentary Integrity Adviser (an office presently held by one person) is not a ‘public body’ for the purpose of the FMA, applying retrospectively from 31 December 2024 so that person was never subject to certain reporting requirements of the FMA;

• the reforms in Division 5 of Part 9 of the Bill relating to the power to transfer staff from Parks Victoria to the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority; and

• for completeness, the automatic repeal provisions in Part 10 of the Bill.

Other human rights considerations

I make the following further observations about the Bill:

• departments, agencies, and Ministers implementing the reforms are required to consider and to comply with the Charter;

• the cessation of certain offices (and officeholder terms), the substitution of old bodies, entities or offices for new bodies, entities or offices (in Acts, instruments and otherwise), and similar matters, as a statutory consequence of the Bill, are not civil proceedings nor impact decision-making exercises that would engage the fair hearing right in section 24(1) of the Charter; and

• the Bill’s transitional regulation making powers have been carefully designed having regard to previous comments of the Parliament’s Scrutiny and Act’s Committee on their use and they do not displace the Charter.

Hon. Danny Pearson MP

Minister for Finance

 Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Minister for Finance) (12:42): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I ask that my second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard.

Incorporated speech as follows:

Introduction

I am pleased to introduce the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Others Matters) Bill 2025 today, which implements a series of amendments to reduce duplication across government, clarify roles and responsibilities with the public sector, and streamline reporting requirements to ensure effective and efficient governance.

This Bill is the latest action the Government is taking to ensure the public service is focused on Victorians and their priorities: good schools, good hospitals, safe communities and help with cost of living. By focusing on inefficient and duplicated spending, Government can continue investing where it matters most: the frontline.

The Bill represents a collaborative effort across government, creating efficiencies in multiple portfolios. Its proposals share a common goal: to enhance the effectiveness of government.

It will reform government entities and reduce regulatory and administrative requirements. This will also remove instances of duplication and ensure that programs meet the changing needs of Victorians. By consolidating functions, the Bill contributes meaningfully to the Government’s commitment to tailored and responsible policy outcomes.

The Bill arises from the Government’s commitment to deliver the highest standard of government service in a fiscally responsible manner. It is responsive to the State’s commitments in the 2025–26 Budget and reflects an important part of our five-step fiscal strategy.

It is expected that the Ministers responsible for the Acts being amended will be responsible for the amendments made by this Bill.

Purpose

The Bill will consolidate waste management and recycling functions by amending the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 to abolish Recycling Victoria and move its functions to the Environment Protection Authority. Existing responsibilities, functions and duties of Recycling Victoria will be conferred to the Environment Protection Authority to ensure proper waste management and recycling oversight. At the same time, it will remove overlapping functions, reduce duplication and improve regulatory efficiency by enabling fewer review requirements and less reporting.

Reducing duplication is a key priority of this government and is consistent with the Bill’s proposal to repeal the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001 to abolish the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council.

The Bill proposes to amend the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Act 2003 to expand the functions of the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability to enable investigation and assessment functions currently performed by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council to be conducted when directed by the Minister.

Also in the environment portfolio, the Bill proposes to further improve efficiencies by amending the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 to abolish the Victorian Marine and Coastal Council. This council’s responsibilities in supporting the development and implementation of the Marine and Coastal Policy and Strategy were fulfilled in 2022. Any ongoing need for monitoring and reporting will be delivered through the existing work of the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability and through additional non-legislative mechanisms.

The Bill will amend the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 to abolish the Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority and transfer some functions to the Department Head. This change will eliminate duplication between the Mine Land Rehabilitations Authority’s mine rehabilitation and work currently undertaken by Resources Victoria Group within the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. At the same time, it will ensure priority functions relating to community engagement and post-closure plans can continue.

To streamline governance process, the Bill will amend the Public Administration Act 2004 to abolish the Victorian Public Sector Commission Advisory Board. Important reporting functions of the Victorian Public Sector Commission are also updated in the Bill to allow sufficient time for high quality reports to be delivered.

The Bill will abolish the Victorian Government Purchasing Board and transfer powers to the responsible Minister by amending the Financial Management Act 1994. Monitoring of government procurement compliance will be prioritised through strong, well-established governance and oversight mechanisms such as Standing Directions and other discretionary audit processes, removing the need for a standalone Board. To ensure the Financial Management Act 1994 is consistent with procurement policies introduced by this Government in 2021, minor amendments will also be made to the way that ‘specified entities’ interact with the legislation.

The Road Safety Camera Commissioner and the Commissioner’s Reference Group have made significant contributions to improving the effectiveness of the road safety camera system since being established in 2011. With initial work now complete, the Bill proposes to abolish these roles through amendments to the Road Safety Camera Commissioner Act 2011. Next steps have been put in place to continue to support the ongoing accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the road safety camera system. Two key functions from the Commissioner will be referred to the Department of Justice and Community Safety, including the receiving and investigating of complaints from the public regarding road safety cameras, and a biennial review of the road safety camera system’s accuracy by an independent expert, to maintain public confidence in the road safety camera system.

Reforms in the Health portfolio are proposed through amendments to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 to decrease the number of board members and directors in the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing and remove legislated appointment and employment criteria to increase flexibility and responsiveness while maintaining core functions.

Further amendments to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 are included in the Bill to clarify responsibilities for system performance monitoring and reporting by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, reducing the number of Commissioners from four to one. This will increase transparency while safeguarding the Commission’s promotion of lived experience leadership. The Commission will remain an independent statutory body, supported by robust governance arrangements and reporting obligations.

Streamlining regulation to improve services continues to be a top priority of this government. The Bill will amend the Local Government Act 1989 to remove the Essential Service Commission’s advisory function in relation to the setting of the average rate cap. It will also remove the requirement for the ESC to prepare a biennial report on outcomes arising from the caps.

Other functions of the Essential Services Commission are amended in this Bill to streamline processes and governance. It will amend the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act 2017 to modernise regulation of unbooked taxi fares and non-cash payment surcharges, by removing the Essential Services Commission’s role in determining fees and instead moving to annual indexation.

The Bill will amend the Accident Towing Services Act 2007 to remove the requirement for the Essential Services Commission review of charges for accident towing and other services every four years. It will also improve the way accident towing fees are indexed each year by removing the productivity adjustment figure and replacing the ‘transport group consumer price index (CPI)’ with the ‘all groups CPI’.

The Bill will amend the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Act 2024 to clarify the Parliamentary Integrity Adviser is not subject to certain provisions in the Financial Management Act 1994. This will reduce administrative burden and allow the Parliamentary Integrity Adviser, currently a single appointee working on a sessional basis, to allocate its limited resources more effectively towards upholding the integrity of Victoria’s parliament.

The Bill will amend the Great Ocean Road and Environs Protection Act 2020 to allow staff to transition from Parks Victoria to the newly established Great Ocean Road Coasts and Parks Authority to support important responsibilities and oversight of sensitive coastal public land by 1 July 2026, ensuring staff resources are available where needed.

In summary, the Bill will achieve:

• Better value for money by creating government efficiencies and reducing overlap;

• Realigned policy and program functions to ensure Government priorities are delivered to the highest possible standard; and

• Tailored program capacity where necessary to respond to changing needs of the Victorian community.

This Bill sits squarely within the Government’s priorities of delivering high quality public services in a financially responsible manner.

I commend the Bill to the house and look forward to the constructive contributions of all members.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:42): I move:

That the debate be adjourned.

Motion agreed to and debate adjourned.

Ordered that debate be adjourned for two weeks. Debate adjourned until Tuesday 23 December.