Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Essential Services Act 1958 - SECT 5

Powers of Minister during period of emergency

5. Powers of Minister during period of emergency



(1) The Minister may provide operate control regulate and direct any essential
service (whether by way of continuation or modification of, or substitution
for, any essential service theretofore provided) during a period of emergency.

(2) The Minister may employ at not less than award rates such persons in such
numbers and upon such terms as appear to him to be necessary for the carrying
into effect of the powers referred to in the last preceding subsection.

(3) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this
section the Minister may-

   (a)  direct what services shall be maintained and upon what terms and
        conditions they shall operate;

   (b)  direct persons and bodies to operate and maintain services to the
        extent and upon the terms specified in the direction;

   (c)  direct at what times and places and upon what terms and conditions and
        in what manner services may be used or availed of;

   (d)  prohibit the operation or use of services except, if so specified in
        the prohibition, with the consent of the Minister;





   (e)  requisition the use of property of any kind which is used or may be
        used for or in connexion with the operation or maintenance of any
        essential service;

   (f)  provide for or control, by direction prohibition or requisition, the
        operation use disposal distribution storage repair upkeep and
        maintenance of any property or commodity used or which may be used for
        or in connexion with any essential service;

   (g)  provide, by direction prohibition or requisition, for any matter or
        thing incidental to the carrying into effect of the powers referred to
        in this section.