Competition law expert Sitesh Bhojani has been appointed to the board of the Essential Services Commission.

Assistant Treasurer Robin Scott today announced Mr Bhojani as the ESC’s newest commissioner, joining Kate Symons and Simon Corden.

The extra commissioner position was announced as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Energy Fairness Plan – a 2018 election commitment – to strengthen consumer protection in the Victorian energy market.

With a litigation and enforcement background, Mr Bhojani will help the commission set and enforce billing and marketing practices so that Victorians get fairer contract terms.

Mr Bhojani has extensive experience as a legal practitioner and in commissioner roles, including having worked with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Trade Practices Commission.

A recruitment process to appoint a new full-time commission chairperson is currently underway, with Ms Symons acting in the role.

The Labor Government is putting Victorians back in control of their power bills through the Victorian Default Offer, which will cut the cost of power to households, while doubling fines to retailers who make wrongful disconnections.

The Energy Fairness Plan also gives the Commission clearer investigatory powers, as well as new powers to monitor and report on the Victorian retail energy market and crack down on retailers doing the wrong thing.

The Commission will take action if retailers ignore our ban on ‘win-backs’ – so-called short-term discounts that end up costing customers more in the long run.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Treasurer Robin Scott

“We said we’d put power back in the hands of Victorians and this key appointment is a further step towards ensuring that.”

“Along with his fellow commissioners, Mr Bhojani will help provide the strongest protections for Victorian households and crack down on unscrupulous providers.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We promised an energy cop to crack down on retailers who do the wrong thing and we’re delivering with Mr Bhojani.”

“This appointment is the next step in delivering the Andrews Labor Government’s Energy Fairness Plan – one of the biggest reforms to the energy sector in over a decade.”