Australian Productivity Commission Reports on Identifying and Evaluating Regulatory Reforms

The Australian Productivity Commission (“Commission”) was asked by the Australian Government to assess current ‘frameworks and approaches’ for identifying areas for further regulation reform and methods for evaluating reform outcomes. This report details those findings which state that a range of approaches is required to ensure that the stock of regulation is fit for purpose and to deliver net benefits to the community. They range from ‘good housekeeping’ measures to in-depth reviews. For most of these, the Commission states that good governance and consultation are crucial to their cost-effectiveness. Areas for wider systemic improvement include: (i) prioritising and sequencing reviews and reforms; (ii) providing more information on progress in implementing recommendations; (iii) the provision of advance information to achieve better focused consultations; (iv) incentives and mechanisms for good practice by regulators; and (v) building up skills within government in evaluation and review.

Originally Published: 
15/12/2011