Governance and the commission

Governance – the Commission

Sarah McDowell, Monique Conheady and Michelle Groves

On 1 January 2021 the Victorian Energy Safety Commission was established to provide leadership and strategic guidance for Energy Safe and lead its transformation as a modern, fit for purpose regulator, capable of effective, best practice regulation to achieve the highest standard energy safety outcomes for Victorians.

The Commission has statutory responsibilities to achieve the objectives as specified in the Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005, the Electricity Safety Act 1998, Gas Safety Act 1997 and the Pipelines Act 2005 and any other relevant legislation.

The powers of the Commission are vested in the Commissioners acting as a group. The Chairperson cannot exercise the powers of Energy Safe alone, although they have reserve powers in the event of emergencies.

The Commission comprises:

• Commissioner and Chair, Monique Conheady
• Commissioner and Deputy Chair, Michelle Groves
• Commissioner, Sarah McDowell

Operation of the Commission

Decisions are made by consensus or by simple majority if a consensus cannot be reached (2/3).

Decisions reserved for the Commission include:

• Electricity Safety Management Schemes
• Bushfire mitigation plans
• Gas safety cases
• Prohibitions.

Committees

Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)

The Audit and Risk committee meets at least four times per year and comprises an independent Chair, an Energy Safe Commissioner and two other independent members.

This committee’s role is to oversee and review Energy Safe's processes of management and the internal and external audit functions, with a view to assisting the Commission achieve its governance responsibilities. It must provide independent assurance, advice and assistance to the Commission (where relevant) on Energy Safe's risk, control, performance and compliance framework, and its reporting obligations within the Standing Directions 2018 under the Financial Management Act 1994.

Remuneration Committee (RemCo)

The Remuneration committee meets twice per year and comprises an Energy Safe Commissioner (as Chair) and two independent members.

The committee’s purpose is to provide independent advice, assurance and assistance to the Commission and the CEO on executive and senior leaders remuneration and employment matters, to enable consistency with government policy and to ensure best practice principles are applied across Energy Safe.

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

The Technical Advisory Committee is established under Division 3A of the Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005. Members consist of persons appointed by the Minister for the function of providing advice to Energy Safe Victoria.

Victorian Electrolysis Committee (VEC)

The Victorian Electrolysis Committee (VEC) consists of eight members representing various industry groups. In accordance with section 8 of the Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005, Energy Safe has established the VEC as an advisory committee from 1 April 2026. The functions of the VEC reflect those previously set out under Part 9 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 and are to:

• Establish and maintain standards for systems for cathodic protection and for the mitigation of stray current corrosion;
• Provide advice to Energy Safe on any matter related to electrolysis and the regulations relating to cathodic protection and the mitigation of stray current corrosion when requested to do so; and
• Encourage the development of new methods and technology to increase the efficiency of systems for the mitigation of stray current corrosion.

The VEC's composition, membership and governance arrangements are set out in its Terms of Reference established under section 8 of the Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005.

Read more

Victorian Energy Safety Industry Engagement Committee (VESIEC)

The Victorian Energy Safety Industry Engagement Committee is a forum for multi-lateral dialogue between senior energy industry representatives and Energy Safe to discuss priority energy safety issues, risks and emerging trends. It promotes open dialogue and shared problem-solving, informs regulatory priorities and engagement, supports the sharing of good practice and lessons learned, and builds sector knowledge.

Read more