Welcome to the Government Prices Oversight Commission.
The Government Prices Oversight Commission ('the Commission') has been established under the Tasmanian Government Prices Oversight Act 1995, which commenced on 1 January 1996.
The Commission is an independent body with responsibility for conducting investigations into the pricing policies and practices of Government Business Enterprises (GBEs), Government Agencies and Local Government Bodies that are monopoly, or near monopoly, suppliers of goods and services in Tasmania.
The Government Prices Oversight Commission has been set up according to National Competition Policy principles which require that a prices oversight advisory body should:
- address all significant GBEs which are monopoly suppliers of goods or services and be independent of the GBE being assessed;
- be focused on achieving efficient resource allocation, while having regard to any community service obligations imposed by Government;
- permit submissions by interested persons; and
- publish its pricing recommendations and the reasons for them.
The Commission also:
- undertakes inquiries at the request of the Government into matters relating to or affecting the pricing policies of certain Government agencies, Government business enterprises, local government bodies, statutory authorities and state-owned companies, whether or not they are monopoly or near monopoly providers of services and goods, under Part 4A of the Act; and
- investigates complaints about Government bodies that compete with the private sector and conducts other reviews as required by Government under Part 4B of the Act.
The Office is co-located with the Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator (OTTER). More information on OTTER can be found at the OTTER web site: www.economicregulator.tas.gov.au
On 24 November 2008, the Treasurer announced that Mr Glenn Appleyard had been appointed to the position of Government Prices Oversight Commissioner. Mr Appleyard, an economic consultant from Hobart, replaces Mr Andrew Reeves who resigned in August 2008 to take up a position as one of three members of the Board of the Australian Energy Regulator. Mr Appleyard has held a number of senior roles in both the State and Commonwealth public services.
The Minister for Energy appointed Mr Appleyard as Director of Gas on 27 November 2008.
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