Consumer rights lawyer Gerard Brody has been appointed as the new Chairperson of Victoria’s economic regulator for essential and utility services.

Making the announcement on Wednesday, assistant treasurer Danny Pearson said Mr Brody would bring to the role his experience in consumer policy, as well as regulatory and legal experience and a long standing passion for helping consumers.

“Mr Brody has dedicated his working life to helping consumers and will continue to do so as the new Chairperson of the Essential Services Commission,” Mr Pearson said.

“Mr Brody will work with industry and community stakeholders to protect Victorian consumers and the services we all rely on, continuing the Essential Services Commission’s work as a strong and fair regulator.”

Prior to this appointment, Mr Brody served as Chair of Community Legal Centres Australia and the Consumers’ Federation of Australia.

He has held director roles with the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.

 Mr Brody was also the CEO of the Consumer Action Law Centre which provides independent financial counselling, legal advice and representation to vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians.

Promoting interests of consumers

The ESC was established to promoting the long-term interests of Victorian consumers by regulating the price, quality and reliability of essential services across households and businesses.

The commission sets prices, enforces consumer protections, reports on service standards and market performance, and determes rate cap applications.

Mr Brody’s begins his term as chair on August 19, replacing Kate Symons.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson” “I thank outgoing Chairperson Ms Symons for her service to Victoria and wish her all the best in the future

Mr Brody said he was looking forward to building on the Essential Services Commission’s reputation as a strong consumer-focused regulator and contributing to improvements in the way people are treated in the marketplace by entities regulated by the commission.

 “Additionally, I am very keen to continue to explore the role of the commission in assisting Victorians experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage and work collaboratively across Government to improve outcomes for consumers,” he said.

The commission has built a strong investigative capability and has various enforcement options,  including the power to institute civil litigation or criminal prosecution proceedings.  

Since 2019, regulated energy businesses have paid over $17 million in penalties to the commission.

It is currently monitoring businesses accredited under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program to make sure they comply with bans on door knocking and cold call telemarketing recently introduced by the state government.