Original article by Anthony Galloway
The Australian – Page: 1 & 6 : 5-Aug-26

Confidential cabinet documents show that Victoria’s Department of Treasury & Finance has been considering the privatisation of Melbourne Water since 2021. The documents also reveal that former premier Jacinta Allan and senior government ministers approved a business case in 2024 to investigate a partial sale of Melbourne Water. Reducing the state’s debt was cited as a key driver of the push to bring private investment into the water utility; however, some submissions on the proposal expressed concern about a voter backlash due to the perception that water infrastructure is a public asset. The proposal was put on hold but subsequently revived earlier this year, with the government appointing EY to examine options for privatising Melbourne Water.

CORPORATES
MELBOURNE WATER CORPORATION, VICTORIA. DEPT OF TREASURY AND FINANCE, VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, ERNST AND YOUNG