The Productivity Commission's final research report responds to a request by the Treasurer, on behalf of the Australian and New Zealand Governments. The objective of the study has been to examine the potential to improve the trans-Tasman business environment through greater coordination,...

The Productivity Commission reports that local governments in Australia perform an important role through their provision of infrastructure, service delivery, and planning and regulatory activities. Amidst calls by local governments for increased funding from the Australian and State...

The Commission’s final report on the parallel importation of books into Australia, released on 14 July, recommends removal of the current restrictions, with the industry having a period of three years to adjust before the changes take effect. The restrictions prevent Australian booksellers...

The Productivity Commission released its research report into ‘Standard Setting and Laboratory Accreditation’ in November 2006. The Commission was asked to define the appropriate role for the Australian Government in standard setting and laboratory accreditation, the efficiency and...

In 2008, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) identified the upstream petroleum (oil and gas) sector as one of many ‘hotspot’ areas where overlapping and inconsistent regulation threatens to impede economic activity, and agreed that the Productivity Commission should undertake a...

The Productivity Commission’s research report into ‘Performance Benchmarking of Australian Business Regulation’ was released in March 2007. The Australian Government asked the Commission to develop a framework to benchmark regulatory regimes and their cost burdens across all levels of...

The Productivity Commission’s modelling indicates that there would be economy-wide benefits from further reductions in the relatively high tariffs on TCF imports. Assistance reductions would involve some further contraction of the TCF sector, but this would be outweighed by expansion of other...

The Productivity Commission's latest report, Annual Review of Regulatory Burdens on Business: Social and Economic Infrastructure Services Sector – identifies ways to reduce the regulatory burdens on businesses in aged care, health, child care, education, information media and...

The mutual recognition schemes linking Australian states and territories and New Zealand have contributed to the creation of a seamless national economy in Australia and a single economic market across the Tasman, according to a report by the Productivity Commission. This, and other findings are...

The commissioned study research report into the ‘Economic Implications of an Ageing Australia’ was released April 2005. The Commission found that one quarter of Australians will be aged 65 years or more by 2044-45, roughly double the present proportion. This gives rise to significant policy...