31Matters to be considered

31 Matters to be considered

In a monopoly provider investigation, the Regulator is to consider the following matters:

(a) the cost of supplying or providing the monopoly service;

(b) any interstate or international benchmarks for prices, costs, revenues and return on assets in bodies supplying a service similar to the monopoly service;

(c) the need to protect consumers from the adverse effects of the exercise of monopoly power by a monopoly provider in relation to prices, pricing policies and standards of service in respect of the supply of the monopoly service;

(d) if appropriate, the need for a reasonable return (including the payment of dividends) on the assets of a monopoly provider;

(e) the need for efficiency in the supply of the monopoly service for the purpose of benefiting the public interest through a reduction in the cost of supplying the monopoly service;

(f) the effects of inflation;

(g) the need for the monopoly provider to be financially viable;

(h) the impact on pricing policies of any borrowing, capital, dividend and tax equivalent obligations of the monopoly provider, including obligations to renew or increase assets;

(i) any ministerial charter that applies to the monopoly provider;

(j) in the case of a monopoly provider that is a State-owned company, any statement of expectations from the shareholders or other similar document;

(k) any relevant provision in the Portfolio Act or any other Act;

(l) any community service obligations of the monopoly provider;

(m) the quality of the supply of the monopoly service;

(n) the matters set out in the terms of reference;

(o) any other matter the Regulator considers relevant.