Commission chair confirms end of term

Essential Services Commission chair Ron Ben-David has confirmed he will finish up as head of the state’s economic regulator at the end of his second term in May this year.

In an announcement to staff and key stakeholders from the energy, water, transport and local government sectors, Dr Ben-David said ‘the time has come to move on’.

“Ten years is a long time and fifteen years would have been a very long time. The time is therefore right for me to move aside to allow for some renewal at the commission.

“I feel so privileged to have been a part of this place for so long and I am so incredibly proud of all we have achieved, and are yet to achieve,” he said.

Dr Ben-David says he’s confident the commission is in ‘a good place’ and has cemented its position as a leading economic regulator.

“Our work of the past few years in particular has reinforced our position as a forward thinking regulator with a commitment to promoting the long-term interests of consumers.

“Our achievements, from transforming the state’s water pricing framework to taking great strides to reform energy regulation in Victoria and developing Australia’s first industry service codes to help customers experiencing family violence, are tangible signs of our focus and determination,” he says.

The chair says the Victorian Government has shown great confidence in the regulator.

“Our roles and responsibilities have grown significantly over recent years including increasing consumer protections for energy customers and, more recently, adding additional responsibilities to monitor, set and report on prices in the energy sector,” he said.

Dr Ben-David intends to remain at the helm of the commission for the next four months until his term expires on 31 May.

The Victorian Government is expected to commence the search for a new chair shortly.