Victorian parliament is returning for another sitting year with bail reforms, a revived State Electricity Commission and climbing cost of living on the early political agenda.
Ahead of Tuesday's first parliamentary sitting of 2023, the Andrews Labor government has enjoyed a relatively carefree summer since streaking to a third successive election win in late November.
Its first curve ball came last week when a coroner recommended an urgent review of the Bail Act as part of damning findings into the death of Indigenous woman Veronica Nelson in custody in 2020.
In response, Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the state's tough bail laws would be loosened through legislation to be introduced in the first half of the year.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said her department was drafting a proposal but a bill won't be brought before parliament this week.
"It's an extremely complicated area of law," she told reporters on Monday.
"We don't want to reverse changes that would unintentionally have consequences the other way and allow people that should be in custody not be in custody. We have to get the balance right."
The government will need to garner support from the new upper house crossbench to pass reforms to bail laws and certain election policies, including legislation as part of re-establishing the SEC.
Labor intends to enshrine the government-owned electricity commission in Victoria's Constitution Act to guard against it being dismantled in future, but must claim 60 per cent of the vote in both houses.
Opposition Leader John Pesutto, who defeated Berwick MP Brad Battin in a post-election Liberal leadership ballot, has questioned the need for government intervention to build renewable infrastructure.
Soaring energy bills and living costs are expected to be a key line of attack for the Victorian coalition in question time this year.
More inaugural speeches will be given by new members of parliament this week after several spoke for the first time during December's one-off sitting.
"There will be a bit of legislation to do but a big focus on new members and welcoming them to the parliament," Ms Symes said.
Victorian parliament is scheduled to sit for 49 days this year across both houses, with the state budget to be handed down in May.
