This paper examines the sources of the decline in Australia’s productivity growth since the record highs of the 1990s, focusing on the last two complete productivity cycles (ending in 2007-08). It offers a different perspective by looking for a general or macro-economic explanation and then tracing the origins to specific industries. It identifies quite specific...

This paper examines productivity trends in the Australian utilities industry and highlights some significant issues relating to the measurement and interpretation of changes in measured productivity over time. Key findings: Multifactor productivity (MFP) growth in Australia’s market sector has been considerably below average since 2003-04. Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste services), have played a...

This report examines the effectiveness and efficiency of the current economic regulation and quality of service monitoring regime for airports and whether new arrangements are needed. In 2006, the Productivity Commission conducted a review of the regulatory arrangements for pricing airport services. The review examined the price monitoring regime that had replaced the price capping...

This issues paper was produced to assist people with making submissions to the Productivity Commission's inquiry into the efficiency and quality of Commonwealth, state and territory regulatory impact analysis processes. The Australian Government, with the agreement of Council of Australian Governments (COAG)'s Business Regulation and Competition Working Group, has requested that the Productivity Commission undertake...

Compulsory superannuation is a core element of Australia's retirement income system. In May 2009, the Government commissioned an independent review into the governance, efficiency, structure and operation of Australia’s superannuation system (the Cooper Review). The Cooper Review provided its final report to Government on 30 June 2010. As noted in the terms of reference for...