Greening our cities: from vision to value
To realise a policy vision of greener cities and liveable future urban landscapes, we need to embed green infrastructure into traditional infrastructure planning processes.
To realise a policy vision of greener cities and liveable future urban landscapes, we need to embed green infrastructure into traditional infrastructure planning processes.
Real options analysis values flexibility explicitly, enabling better decision making in infrastructure investments compared with standard techniques.
This bulletin looks at government investment into commercial firms prompted by the QLD Government's possible investment in Virgin Australia.
Frontier Economics argues the case for a change in fiscal policy to target nominal GDP rather than inflation.
A new bulletin from Frontier Economics discusses how value capture can make infrastructure investment more equitable and productive.
Using value capture to fund infrastructure makes infrastructure investment more equitable and productive.
Wind and solar generation in the National Electricity Market is examined in this bulletin, with focus on the implications for supply diversity.
This briefing from Frontier Economics reviews the forecasts made by Scientific American in a 1990 special edition, Energy for Planet Earth and looks at primary energy demand.
This is the first of three notes by Frontier Economics which review the predictions and forecasts made by Scientific American in 1990 in the issue Energy for Planet Earth.
This briefing from Frontier Economics examines global coal fired generator emissions over the period 1904 to 2050.
A report prepared for the Water Services Association of Australia by Frontier Economics looks at the health benefits to the community from investing in water infrastructure to create liveable cities.
This bulletin from Frontier Economics discusses Australia's Paris 2030 emissions reduction commitments and suggests we are on track to meet them easily and we should be pursuing harder targets.
This briefing from Frontier Economics examines Australia's commitment to our Paris 2030 emissions targets. Our analysis suggests that despite official projections, Australia is well on track for [...]
A new bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at the issue of an NBN write-down of assets and explores the links between pricing, write-downs and value.
This bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at the issue of an NBN write-down of assets and explores the links between pricing, write-downs and value.
This bulletin from Frontier Economics discusses valuing the real impacts of rail and making a compelling business case for investment in this infrastructure.
This bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at valuing the real impacts of rail and making a compelling business case for investing in this infrastructure.
Frontier Economics examined the implications of the government's "Big Stick" legislation for the Australian Energy Council.
Infrastructure NSW engaged Frontier Economics to advise on the optimum regulatory framework for the uptake of cost-effective recycled water initiatives.
The Australian offices of Frontier Economics will be closed from 5pm Monday 24 December 2018 and re-open Wednesday 2 January 2019 at 9am.
This briefing looks at the price impacts of Federal Labor's proposed deeper emissions cuts.
This briefing examines Modern Monetary Theory and assesses whether it could live up to its promise.
Frontier Economics is co-hosting a seminar given by Gus O'Donnell on Changing Behaviour in the Public and Private Sector on Wednesday 7 November 2018.
This short note from Frontier Economics examines some of the modelling and forecasting assumptions in AEMO's integrated system plan and discusses the implications.
The New South Wales Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal published today a draft decision on its 2018 review of its approach to conducting financeability tests.
Danny Price has written an article called Black(out) to the Future, looking at particular aspects of current energy policy in Australia and the potential for future blackouts to occur.
Energy Networks Australia has published a discussion by Frontier Economics that discusses TOTEX and how this regulatory approach might benefit consumers and businesses.
Frontier Economics has moved into new offices in Singapore. This is effective from 1 July 2018.
Mike Woolston, Frontier Economics, has co-authored a paper on public private partnerships in the water sector, titled Private Sector Participation in the Water Sector - Optimal Allocation of Risk.
As NBN Co (nbn) continues to refine pricing of the various products it offers, we examine the early impact of a price change that took place 14 December 2017.
Danny Price, managing director of Frontier Economics, presented at the AARES Symposium, The Future of Australian Energy, in Adelaide today.
The Australian Energy Market Commission has published a report by Frontier Economics that surveys the use of total expenditure regulatory frameworks in a number of jurisdictions, including the [...]
The South Australian government has announced a plan to create the world’s largest Virtual Power Plant.
This bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at econometrics and discusses some examples of when econometric modelling goes awry.
This bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at econometrics and discusses some examples of when econometric modelling goes awry.
Infrastructure Australia has released a report suggesting fundamental changes to the governance and regulation of Australia's urban water markets.
As the public increasingly embraces ride sharing, the discussion has extended from the implications for the taxi industry to the potential for it to also disrupt public transport. This bulletin [...]
A new bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at ride sharing and its potential to transform (or disrupt) public transportation.
Frontier Economics’ Managing Director, Danny Price, explains in this submission to the senate committee examining the Bill why abolition of LMR rights would harm, rather than promote, the [...]
The International Trademark Association (INTA) has launched a report on the economic contribution of trademark-intensive industries to five ASEAN economies.
Frontier Economics managing director Danny Price was a panellist at an Australian British Chamber of Commerce lunch discussing the Finkel Review.
Frontier Economics has moved into new, larger offices in Singapore following rapid growth in the past twelve months. This is effective from 31 July 2017.
A report into the economic cost of child undernutrition in Papua New Guinea was released today by Save the Children and Frontier Economics.
IPART has released the final report and determination regarding WaterNSW’s prices for NSW Rural Bulk Water Services to be applied from 1 July 2017.
IPART has released their Draft Determination regarding WaterNSW’s prices for NSW Rural Bulk Water Services to be applied from 1 July 2017.
The Victorian Government today released its findings on the social and economic impacts of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in Victoria.
The NSW Planning and Assessment Commission announced that it rejected ANGLO American's application to approve its Drayton South Coal Project.
The latest bulletin from Frontier Economics (Asia-Pacific), Easy Target, looks at the contribution of renewable energy in achieving Australia’s emissions target.
The COAG Energy Council has decided to retain but reform the limited merits review regime that applies to decisions of the Australian Energy Regulator.
Frontier Economics and leading law firm Herbert Smith Freehills were engaged by Energy Networks Australia to prepare a policy paper, "Options for enhancing the Australian Limited Merits Review [...]
David Leitch from Reneweconomy interviews Danny Price on emissions intensity schemes for Radio ITK, a weekly podcast.
The Australian Government has released details of its reform package on proposed changes to the regulatory regime applying to superfast broadband.
The AEMC has provided advice to the COAG Energy Council that analyses the impacts and characteristics of mechanisms to reduce emissions in the electricity sector in line with Australia’s Paris [...]
Australia needs at least $300 billion, and up to $700 billion, spent on infrastructure over the short to medium term if it is to maintain and improve its productivity and liveability [1].
Australia is estimated to need at least $300 billion, and up to $700 billion, spent on infrastructure over the short to medium term if it is to maintain and improve its productivity and liveability.
The New South Wales Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released the results of its 2015 Household Survey. This was the seventh household survey since 1993 about energy and [...]
The Victorian Government today announced a package of regulatory reforms designed to reduce barriers to entry into the taxi and other commercial passenger vehicle market. This will formally allow [...]
On 19 August the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council decided that its Senior Committee of Officials would conduct a fresh review of the limited merits review (LMR) regime that [...]
Has the time come to replace the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) mandate to keep inflation between two and three percent per annum with a ‘nominal GDP’ growth target of five and a half [...]
Scrutinising the wholesale price impact of assisted closure of brown coal power stations.
The Essential Services Commission today released its draft report on the regulation of maximum taxi fares in Victoria.
Frontier (Australia) has published a new report scrutinising the wholesale price impact of assisted closure of brown coal power stations in the National Electricity Market (NEM).
The Australian Competition Tribunal’s recent judgment found in favour of the businesses that sought merits review of the Australian Energy Regulator’s revenue determinations, on most of the [...]
The ACCC granted conditional authorisation to a joint venture between taxi networks and other industry participants to launch and operate a new smartphone taxi booking app called ihail.
A report by World Vision and Frontier Economics examines the cost of conflict in Syria.
This bulletin from Frontier (Australia) explains why a merits review regime is essential to a well-functioning regulatory system.
Last week, Frontier (Australia) hosted a series of seminars aimed at stimulating policy debate on the future of energy network regulation in Australia.
The ESC today released its final report into the regulation of accident towing services in Victoria. Frontier Economics assisted the ESC with the report.
Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (IPA) and the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) jointly released the report entitled “Doing the important, as well as the urgent: reforming the [...]
In August 2015, the Australian Government proposed a CO2 emissions target of a 26%-28% reduction on 2005 emissions levels by 2030. More recently, the Government released draft details around the [...]
In an earlier bulletin, Uber Regulated? we examined the case for regulating so-called “sharing economy” services, like Uber and Airbnb. In this companion piece, we discuss why it is important to [...]
Frontier looks at Australia's Direct Action Safeguards in a short report for clients.
The Government has proposed a target of a 26%-28% reduction on 2005 emissions levels by 2030. In our view, a 25% reduction on 2005 emissions levels by 2025 (36% by 2030) would not only be [...]
The Australian Government has today proposed a target of a 26%-28% reduction on 2005 emissions levels by 2030. Frontier (Australia) examines the context for comparing emissions targets and tasks.
An article by Mike Woolston of Frontier (Australia), published in the February 2015 edition of the Australian Water Association’s Water Journal, looks at the issue of funding water infrastructure.
An Australian Water Association article in the February 2015 edition of the Water Journal rounds up issues behind the visit of a delegation of water professionals to California last December, [...]
Economic Analysis Of The RSPT With A Postscript On The Negotiated Outcome. This note was originally prepared to support a presentation made by Brian Parmenter of Frontier (Australia) at Norton [...]
Frontier (Australia)’s latest bulletin considers how we should regulate new smartphone-based taxi apps like Uber.
How We Should Regulate ‘Smartphone’ Taxi Apps. The emergence of smartphone-based apps to order and pay for taxis could revolutionise how these markets work – and reduce the need for onerous regulation.
In May 2013 the Appellate Body issued its ruling in the Canada- Renewable Energy case. The ruling followed cross-appeals made by the defendant, Canada, and complainants, the EU and Japan, [...]
Trade negotiators from Japan and Australia today announced the successful conclusion of negotiations on an agreement, known as the Japan Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, that will lead [...]
Consumers in Australia have experienced sharply rising retail electricity tariffs in recent years. This has been largely driven by the need to fund major investments in network infrastructure. [...]
An article by Rajat Sood from Frontier (Australia) looks at the issue of tariffs in regard to solar-voltaic panels.
At the 9th Ministerial Conference in Bali, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreed on new rules to simplify customs procedures and facilitate trade.
Most people have bought products on an impulse that they did not need – the new gadgets in the kitchen cupboards, the exercise equipment in the garage or the unworn clothes in the wardrobe. Often [...]
This client briefing from Frontier (Australia) investigates the Government's claim that a 7.7% drop in CO2 emissions is evidence that their carbon price scheme, implemented in mid-2012, is working.
Frontier (Australia) has undertaken a review of urban water customer choice options, policy drivers and regulatory instruments for the National Water Commission.
The Australian state Government of Victoria today published its response to the recommendations of the Victorian Taxi Industry Inquiry, that it set up in March 2011.
Frontier’s latest client briefing discusses the Australian Government's Industry and Innovation Strategy.
In this briefing, we examine the likely implications of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s reforms to card surcharging practices. Difficulties applying the new regulatory Standard to taxis provides [...]
Frontier’s latest client briefing considers a recent World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling against the use of local content rules in feed-in tariffs (FIT) used by the State of Ontario, Canada.
WTO Ruling Against The Use Of Local Content Rules In Feed-In Tariffs. Frontier’s latest client briefing considers a recent World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling against the use of local content [...]
Every Christmas, children receive free goods via a supply chain that winds through their chimney and ends up under a tree. It seems simple and efficient: few customers question the quality of [...]
The final report of the Victorian Taxi Industry Inquiry was tabled in Parliament today. The Inquiry, looking into all aspects of the Victorian taxi industry, ran for 16 months and included [...]
Do estimates of virtual water and food miles really help consumers to make environmentally friendly choices?
The Mining Task Force of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has published a report on the impact for ten APEC economies of changes to European Union (EU) classifications regarding [...]
The long debate surrounding carbon pricing in Australia entered a new phase on Sunday, 1 July with the commencement of Australia’s carbon pricing scheme at a $23/tonne CO2-e starting price.
The Victorian Taxi Industry Inquiry today published its draft recommendations on the reform of the Victorian taxi and hire car industry.
States met today at the 2nd Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure (SCOTI) to consider a range of major transport reforms.
The rise of the internet has drastically reduced the costs of media production and paved the way for the entry of new firms into a traditionally highly concentrated industry.
The rise of the internet has drastically reduced the costs of media production and paved the way for the entry of new firms into a traditionally highly concentrated industry. This bulletin from [...]
The Australian National Water Commission today published “Water policy and climate change in Australia”. The report examines interactions between water policies and both climate change mitigation [...]
The Australian National Water Commission today published “Impacts of water trading in the southern Murray–Darling Basin between 2006-07 and 2010-11”.
Google Inc’s recently proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc raises some important economic issues about the merits or otherwise of vertical integration between device, platform [...]
The Australian Senate Select Committee on Scrutiny of New Taxes has been inquiring into a range of carbon tax pricing mechanisms.
Following the Spring 2010 outbreak of locusts across the state of Victoria, Frontier (Australia) was engaged by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to review locust-control [...]
Today the National Water Commission (NWC) launched Urban Water in Australia: Future Directions to promote reform in the urban water sector.
On Monday 28 February 2011, the Climate Institute, an Australian interest group, released a study that claims that a 25% reduction on 2000 level greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 would be positive [...]
The Australian Senate Select Committee on Scrutiny of New Taxes has been looking at a number of proposals, including a possible carbon tax.
Some studies and commentary have recently raised the issue of carbon certainty for the electricity sector. The uncertainty regarding whether a carbon price will be introduced in Australia means [...]
The Australian Government's Productivity Commission (PC) has today released its draft report on Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs).
Adaptation in climate policy is about reducing the harm, or seizing the opportunities, caused by climate change. Unlike mitigation, which focuses on the reduction of greenhouse emissions, [...]
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) held its biennial conference, Our Sporting Futures, on 29 and 30 July 2010.
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) was a major winner in the Australian Federal Budget, delivered on Tuesday 11 May. The ASC received funding of $325 million over four years for their [...]
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) have published a report into the economic impact of sport in Australia. This was commissioned in anticipation of an Australian Government review of sports [...]
On 4 August 2016, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman Rod Sims announced that the ACCC’s next market study will focus on the Australian communications sector. This [...]
Frontier (Australia) was recently commissioned by the Australian Rural R&D Council to investigate the main drivers shaping research and development (R&D) policies and institutions internationally
On 18 October, the Coalition (Australia) put forward a set of amendments to the Australian Commonwealth Government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). In response, on 24 [...]
Frontier Economics has completed a report on volumetric trading limits in intra-regional trade in water access entitlements for the ACCC.
Frontier (Australia) has completed a report for the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance on adaptation responses to climate change.
Frontier Economics has released a report that provides independent modelling of the Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).
Frontier Economics has submitted two reports to the AEMC's review on how the Australian Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and expanded Renewable Energy Target scheme may affect [...]
The Australian Government has released the final report of the Review of Ambush Marketing Legislation.
Today the Expert Panel commissioned by the Australian Government to review proposals to build the National Broadband Network provided its report to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and [...]
A Report Prepared For The Victorian Department Of Sustainability And Environment. To assist with the development of the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy in Victoria, this paper assesses [...]
The Australian Government announced the release of an RFP to roll-out and operate a national broadband network.
This report reviews reforms to the RDE framework in Australia for primary industries and suggests improvements to funding and institutional arrangements.
Frontier (Australia) has been engaged by the Department of Primary Industry to provide advice on methods to allocate sites to new tenants in a new wholesale fruit and vegetable market.
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