The increased use of information and communications technology (ICT) has helped to raise Australia’s productivity growth, according to a new Commission study. It has enabled firms to innovate in what they do and how they do it. ICT Use and Productivity: A Synthesis from Studies of Australian...

On 9 July 1997 the Treasurer referred the international competitiveness of the Australian black coal industry to the Commission for inquiry and report within 12 months. The Commission is to identify ways of improving the international competitiveness of the Australian black coal industry which...

In April 2005, the research paper into Assistance to Tourism: Exploratory Estimates, was released. It is the first comprehensive attempt to quantify the extent of assistance to tourism on a comparable basis to that for other industries in Australia. While care is needed in interpreting the...

On 24 August 1998 the Treasurer referred the implementation of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) by Commonwealth departments and agencies to the Commission for inquiry and report within nine months of receipt of the reference.

There are significant differences in the way water rights are defined, allocated and administered in Australia and overseas. This paper includes comparisons of the arrangements for managing water rights against accepted best practice principles for South Au stralia, Queensland, NSW, Victoria...

On 25 August 1998 the Treasurer referred Australia’s gambling industries for inquiry and the provision of an information report within 12 months of receiving the reference.The Commission was requested to provide an information report on the economic and social impacts of Australia’s gambling...

This study draws together and builds on previous research by the Commission on the role of the private sector in the conservation of biodiversity. With more than 60 per cent of Australia's land area under private management, conservation cannot be adequately addressed without private sector...

At the request of the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, the Assistant Treasurer asked the Commission to undertake a research study examining the performance of commercial buildings and analyse any impediments to better performance of such buildings and how to overcome them. The study...

Australian, state and territory regimes came under review for the Commission’s inquiry into native vegetation and biodiversity regulations. The Commission’s preliminary findings were released for public comment in December 2003. It found that the cost of farm regulations could be reduced if...

On 26 June 1998 the Treasurer referred the question of whether safeguard action is warranted against imports of meat of swine, frozen, falling within tariff sub-heading 0203.29 of the Australian Customs Tariff. The Productivity Commission is to report within 140 days (or earlier) and is to hold...