The Productivity Commission's research report responds to a request by the Australian Government to examine the contribution that national reform of building regulation has made and further reform could make to the performance of the building and construction industry. The research report was...

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 good...

The Commission was asked to review the National Third Party Access Regime for Natural Gas Pipelines. The review sought to assess the benefits and costs of the Regime, including its effects on investment. The Commission's preliminary findings were released for public comment in December 2003 and...

The terms of reference for this public inquiry into the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 asked the Commission to look at how effective the Act had been been in achieving its objectives, and to assess the costs and benefits of the Act. In its final assessment, the Commission identified ways in...

The final report of the public inquiry, National Workers' Compensation and Occupational Health and Safety Frameworks. Consistent with its terms of reference, the Commission had recommended a national workers' compensation scheme to operate alongside those of the States and Territories to...

This paper discusses the appropriateness, efficiency, and effectiveness regulatory arrangements covering aquaculture production in Australia. It identifies a number of key areas including environmental protection, land use planning, marine and coastal management, and land administration

The Commission was asked to evaluate current arrangements and provide policy options for post 2005 assistance and to report on a range of related matters that will affect the sector's long-term viability. The inquiry will also look at relevant workplace issues and international trade developments

The Mutual Recognition Agreement and the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement have been successful in achieving their objectives of assisting the integration of the Australian and New Zealand economies and promoting competitiveness. They allow goods legally available for sale in one...

There are significant differences in the way water rights are defined, allocated and administered in Australia and overseas. Arrangements in Australia (and South Africa), where governments devise plans to share the volume available for consumption among right holders, differ significantly from...