Essential Services Act 1958

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.

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.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this section the Minister may—

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

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

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

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

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;

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;

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.