THE Baillieu government has adopted a new phrase to counter perceptions of inertness: ''decisive action''.

The term - being used to reassure families that the Coalition is delivering on its election pledge to ''fix the problems and build the future'' - was road-tested in two press releases this week by Water Minister Peter Walsh explaining a belated decision to reimburse $230 million to Melbourne Water customers.

To counter perceptions of inertness, the Baillieu government has adopted a new phrase: 'decisive action' Credit:John Woudstra

''The Coalition government has taken decisive action to return as quickly as possible the money collected from Melbourne Water customers to pay for the desalination plant,'' a first press release read.

"We have taken decisive action to return this money to customers as quickly as possible," a second said.