Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission

The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) was abolished in 2015. All publicly available inquiry reports that were previously available on the VCEC's website are available here.

The VCEC's role in assessing the adequacy of regulatory impact statements and legislative impact assessments and administering the Government's Competitive Neutrality Policy was transferred to the Office of the Commissioner for Better Regulation. Copies of published regulatory impact statements and information on impact analysis and competitive neutrality are available at the OCBR's website, www.betterreg.vic.gov.au.

Completed inquiries

Inquiry into Aspects of the Wrongs Act 1958

On 30 May 2013, the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into Aspects of the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic). The inquiry focused on addressing anomalies, inconsistencies and inequities in the Act relating to personal injury damages, without compromising the original intention of the 2002-03 tort law reforms. The inquiry was completed on 26 February 2014 when the Commission presented its final report to the Treasurer.

Inquiry into School Devolution and Accountability

On 17 September 2012, the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into school devolution and accountability. The inquiry identified how much autonomy Victorian schools have and how this affects students, teachers and schools. It also reported on whether there are areas where more autonomy could improve student learning, or improve the efficiency of schools. The inquiry was completed on 31 July 2013 when the Commission presented its final report to the Treasurer.

Inquiry into the Social and Economic Costs of Problem Gambling in Victoria

On 14 June 2012 the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into the social and economic costs of problem gambling. The inquiry examined the costs of providing services to problem gamblers and their friends and families, the costs associated with the impacts on mental and physical wellbeing for individuals and the health system, costs to the justice system and costs to business. In addition, the inquiry considered the geographic distribution of costs. The inquiry was completed on 13 December 2012 when the Commission presented its final report to the Treasurer.

Inquiry into Feed-in Tariffs and Barriers to Distributed Generation

On 13 January 2012 the Commission was requested to undertake an inquiry into Feed-in Tariff Arrangements and Barriers to Distributed Generation. The inquiry assessed feed-in tariff schemes in the context of a national carbon price, provided recommendations on existing arrangements and identified regulatory or other barriers to the development of a network of distributed renewable and low emission generation in Victoria. The inquiry was completed on 7 July 2012 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government. 

Inquiry into a State-based Reform Agenda

On 29 April 2011, the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into a state-based reform agenda. The inquiry identified the key reform areas that the Victorian Government should target to improve productivity, labour force participation and Victoria’s overall economic competitiveness. The inquiry also included a benchmarking study of Victoria’s competitive position in relation to other national and key international competitor jurisdictions, and an investigation of policy reforms that the government can undertake to improve productivity, participation and competitiveness within the Victorian economy. The inquiry was completed on 27 January 2012 when the Commission presented its final report to the Treasurer.

Inquiry into a more Competitive Manufacturing Industry

On 2 March 2011 the Commission was requested to undertake an inquiry into Victoria’s Manufacturing Industry. The report focused on outlining a forward looking strategy to develop an internationally competitive and productive manufacturing sector in Victoria. The inquiry was completed on 1 September 2011 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Inquiry into Victoria’s Tourism Industry

On 23 September 2010, the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into Victoria’s tourism industry. The inquiry reported on State and local regulatory barriers to development of the tourism industry, opportunities to improve the management of state assets to better meet the needs of the tourist industry and the impact of international and domestic aviation policies on the industry and broader economy. The inquiry was completed on 1 June 2011 when the Commission presented its final report to the Treasurer.

Inquiry into Victoria's Regulatory Framework

On 29 June 2010 the Commission was requested to undertake an inquiry into Victoria’s Regulatory Framework to examine ways of improving the competitiveness of Victorian businesses and to identify areas of reducing regulatory burden. The inquiry was completed on 29 April 2011 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Inquiry into Streamlining Local Government Regulation

On 24 August 2009 the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into streamlining local government regulation. The inquiry examined the scope for further streamlining of business regulation administered by local government. It looked at the impact of council regulation on business, the administration of regulations (both state and local), inconsistencies between councils, impediments to small and medium enterprises’ access to major infrastructure project procurement, costs to local councils of administering regulation, and the overall economic impact of reforms by federal and state governments. The inquiry was completed on 24 August 2010 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Inquiry into Regulatory Impediments into the Financial Services Sector

On 18 September 2009, the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into reducing regulatory impediments in the financial services sector. The inquiry focused on the significance and diversity of Victoria’s financial sector, identifying Commonwealth and State regulations that impact on the sector’s development, labour requirements, and options to develop the sector. The inquiry was completed on 16 June 2010 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Review of Sharing of Government and Community Facilities

On 15 December 2008 the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into sharing Victorian Government and community facilities. The review examined the potential for increased sharing of government and community facilities in Victoria, both in relation to existing and new facilities.The inquiry was completed on 11 September 2009 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Inquiry into Environmental Regulation in Victoria

On 23 July 2008 the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into Environmental Regulation in Victoria. The inquiry focused on the nature and scope of environmental regulation in Victoria, opportunities for improving environmental regulation including reducing administrative and compliance burdens, and the capacity of environmental regulation to respond to the economic opportunities arising from environmental sustainability challenges. The inquiry was completed on 21 July 2009 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Inquiry into Enhancing Victoria's Liveability

On 12 October 2007 the Commission was requested to undertake an inquiry into Enhancing Victoria’s Liveability. The inquiry investigated the links between liveability and the competitiveness of the State, and considered means of enhancing liveability, taking into account sustainability issues. The inquiry was completed on 3 October 2008  when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Inquiry into Reform of the Metropolitan Retail Water Sector

On 21 August 2007 the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into Reform of the Metropolitan Retail Water Sector. The inquiry examined options to improve the structure of the metropolitan retail water sector while still providing safe and reliable services at least cost to the community. The inquiry was completed on 29 February 2008  when the Commission presented its final report to the Government.

Inquiry into Food Regulation in Victoria

On 14 September 2006 the Commission was asked to undertake an inquiry into food regulation in Victoria. The inquiry investigated ways to simplify the current regulatory environment, clarify roles and expectations for food industry participants at different stages of production, and provided recommendations for best practice enforcement of sound food regulation. The inquiry was completed on 10 September 2007 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Review of the Labour and Industry Act 1958

On 19 March 2007 the Commission was asked to undertake a review into the appropriateness of the Labour and Industry Act 1958 (Vic). The review focused on identifying redundant provisions and assessing any impacts of repealing the Act. The review was completed on 19 June 2007 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Inquiry into Managing Transport Congestion

On 14 September 2005 the Commission was requested to undertake an inquiry to report on the nature and incidence of transport congestion and its impact on business and supply chain efficiency and to present options for improvement. The inquiry was completed on 14 September 2006 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Inquiry into regulation of the Housing Construction Sector and Related Issues

On 10 November 2004 the Commission was requested to undertake an inquiry into regulation of the housing construction sector. The inquiry focused on the impact, benefits and costs of regulations on housing construction; opportunities for improvement and the appropriateness of performance indicators for housing construction regulatory bodies. The inquiry was completed on 17 October 2005 when the Commission presented its final report to the Victorian Government.

Inquiry into Regulatory Barriers to Regional Economic Development

On 1 July 2004, the Commission was requested to undertake an inquiry to identify and assess the key regulatory barriers to regional economic development, identify ways to improve the design of relevant laws and regulations and examine opportunities for simplifying advisory mechanisms and the administration of regulation. The inquiry was completed on 16 June 2005 when the Commission presented its report to the Victorian Government.

Reviewed 24/10/2022
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