Flying High
This bulletin looks at government investment into commercial firms prompted by the QLD Government's possible investment in Virgin Australia.
Nominal GDP Targeting Required Now
Frontier Economics argues the case for a change in fiscal policy to target nominal GDP rather than inflation.
New Bulletin | Value in Value Capture
A new bulletin from Frontier Economics discusses how value capture can make infrastructure investment more equitable and productive.
The Value in Value Capture
Using value capture to fund infrastructure makes infrastructure investment more equitable and productive.
Sunny With a Chance of Wind
Wind and solar generation in the National Electricity Market is examined in this bulletin, with focus on the implications for supply diversity.
New Briefing | Energy for Planet Earth – 30 years on
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.
Energy for Planet Earth – 30 years on (Part One)
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.
Global Coal Fired Generator Emissions – 1904 to 2050
This briefing from Frontier Economics examines global coal fired generator emissions over the period 1904 to 2050.
Health benefits from water-centric liveable communities – New Frontier Economics report for WSAA
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.
New Briefing: Lacking Vision: Australian Emissions
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.
Lacking Vision – Australian Emissions
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 [...]
New Bulletin: Writing down the NBN: Requisite or Red Herring?
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.
Writing down the NBN
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.
New Bulletin: Valuing the real impacts of rail
This bulletin from Frontier Economics discusses valuing the real impacts of rail and making a compelling business case for investment in this infrastructure.
Valuing the real impacts of rail
This bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at valuing the real impacts of rail and making a compelling business case for investing in this infrastructure.
Biggus stickus: implications of the Federal Government’s ‘Big Stick’ Legislation
Frontier Economics examined the implications of the government's "Big Stick" legislation for the Australian Energy Council.
Economic and regulatory barriers to cost-effective water recycling
Infrastructure NSW engaged Frontier Economics to advise on the optimum regulatory framework for the uptake of cost-effective recycled water initiatives.
Frontier Economics – Christmas holidays hours
The Australian offices of Frontier Economics will be closed from 5pm Monday 24 December 2018 and re-open Wednesday 2 January 2019 at 9am.
New briefing – Price impacts of deeper emissions cuts
This briefing looks at the price impacts of Federal Labor's proposed deeper emissions cuts.
New briefing – Modern Monetary Theory
This briefing examines Modern Monetary Theory and assesses whether it could live up to its promise.
Public Seminar | Changing Behaviour in the Public and Private Sectors
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.
AEMO’s integrated system plan: forecasting and modelling questions and implications
This short note from Frontier Economics examines some of the modelling and forecasting assumptions in AEMO's integrated system plan and discusses the implications.
IPART publishes draft decision on its approach to financeability tests
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.
Black(out) to the Future
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 explores regulatory changes to benefit consumers and businesses
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 Singapore – new address
Frontier Economics has moved into new offices in Singapore. This is effective from 1 July 2018.
Private sector participation in the water sector – optimal allocation of risk
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.
NBN price changes – finally having an impact?
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 presents at AARES Symposium
Danny Price, managing director of Frontier Economics, presented at the AARES Symposium, The Future of Australian Energy, in Adelaide today.
AEMC publishes Frontier Economics report on total expenditure regulatory frameworks
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 [...]
South Australian Government announces virtual power plant
The South Australian government has announced a plan to create the world’s largest Virtual Power Plant.
New Bulletin: Quantitative analysis – quality assured?
This bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at econometrics and discusses some examples of when econometric modelling goes awry.
Quantitative analysis – quality assured?
This bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at econometrics and discusses some examples of when econometric modelling goes awry.
Infrastructure Australia report on reforming urban water released
Infrastructure Australia has released a report suggesting fundamental changes to the governance and regulation of Australia's urban water markets.
Ride sharing and public transportation – the next big disruption
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 [...]
New Bulletin: Ride sharing and public transportation – the next big disruption
A new bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at ride sharing and its potential to transform (or disrupt) public transportation.
Frontier Economics submits to senate committee that Parliament should reject Bill to abolish limited merits reviews of decisions by AER
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 economic contribution of trademark-intensive industries in ASEAN countries
The International Trademark Association (INTA) has launched a report on the economic contribution of trademark-intensive industries to five ASEAN economies.
Frontier Economics M.D. Danny Price speaks at ABCC lunch on Finkel
Frontier Economics managing director Danny Price was a panellist at an Australian British Chamber of Commerce lunch discussing the Finkel Review.
Frontier Economics Singapore has a new address
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.
The economic cost of child undernutrition in PNG
A report into the economic cost of child undernutrition in Papua New Guinea was released today by Save the Children and Frontier Economics.
IPART releases final report and determination for WaterNSW’s Rural Bulk Water services
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 releases draft determination for WaterNSW’s Rural Bulk Water services
IPART has released their Draft Determination regarding WaterNSW’s prices for NSW Rural Bulk Water Services to be applied from 1 July 2017.
Social and economic impacts of the Basin Plan in Victoria
The Victorian Government today released its findings on the social and economic impacts of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in Victoria.
Planning and Assessment Commission rejects Drayton South Coal Project
The NSW Planning and Assessment Commission announced that it rejected ANGLO American's application to approve its Drayton South Coal Project.
New Frontier bulletin: Easy Target
The latest bulletin from Frontier Economics (Asia-Pacific), Easy Target, looks at the contribution of renewable energy in achieving Australia’s emissions target.
Ministers decide to retain and reform limited merits review regime
The COAG Energy Council has decided to retain but reform the limited merits review regime that applies to decisions of the Australian Energy Regulator.
Options for enhancing the Australian Limited Merits Review regime
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 [...]
Emissions intensity schemes – an interview with Danny Price
David Leitch from Reneweconomy interviews Danny Price on emissions intensity schemes for Radio ITK, a weekly podcast.
Australian Government consults on fixed line broadband reform package
The Australian Government has released details of its reform package on proposed changes to the regulatory regime applying to superfast broadband.
AEMC report on integration of energy and emissions reduction policy
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 [...]
Value capture: bypassing the infrastructure impasse?
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].
Value capture: bypassing the infrastructure impasse? New Frontier bulletin
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.
IPART Releases 2015 Household Survey Results
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 [...]
Victorian Government legalises Uber and other ride-sharing services
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 [...]
Ministers announce new inquiry into limited merits review regime for regulated energy networks
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 [...]
Nominal GDP Targeting
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 [...]
Sudden Impact
Scrutinising the wholesale price impact of assisted closure of brown coal power stations.
Essential Services Commission (Victoria) releases draft report on taxi fares
The Essential Services Commission today released its draft report on the regulation of maximum taxi fares in Victoria.
Sudden impact – New Frontier Economics report
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).
Unappealing Prospects
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 [...]
ACCC grants conditional authorisation to new booking app ihail
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.
The economic cost of the Syrian conflict
A report by World Vision and Frontier Economics examines the cost of conflict in Syria.
Unappealing Prospects | New Frontier Economics Bulletin
This bulletin from Frontier (Australia) explains why a merits review regime is essential to a well-functioning regulatory system.
Frontier looks at incentives and innovations in regulatory mechanisms
Last week, Frontier (Australia) hosted a series of seminars aimed at stimulating policy debate on the future of energy network regulation in Australia.
ESC releases final report on Accident Towing Regulation in Victoria
The ESC today released its final report into the regulation of accident towing services in Victoria. Frontier Economics assisted the ESC with the report.
Major report calls for renewed reform in urban water
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 [...]
Direct Action Safeguards: Tapas, Not The Main Course?
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 [...]
Levelling Up
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 report on Australia’s Direct Action Safeguards
Frontier looks at Australia's Direct Action Safeguards in a short report for clients.
36% by 2030: Australia’s carbon emissions targets
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 [...]
Australia targets emissions: 36% by 2030?
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.
Is there a water infrastructure deficit in Australia? Frontier examines funding in the Water Journal
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.
Frontier participates in Australian water delegation to the USA
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
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 [...]
Uber regulated? – New Frontier Economics bulletin
Frontier (Australia)’s latest bulletin considers how we should regulate new smartphone-based taxi apps like Uber.
Uber Regulated?
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.
A Matter Of Definition
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, [...]
New Australia-Japan Free Trade Agreement
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 [...]
Time For Solar To Pay Its Way
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. [...]
Time for solar to pay its way
An article by Rajat Sood from Frontier (Australia) looks at the issue of tariffs in regard to solar-voltaic panels.
World Trade Organisation adopts new trade rules
At the 9th Ministerial Conference in Bali, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreed on new rules to simplify customs procedures and facilitate trade.
Strangely Irresistable
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 [...]
Did a carbon price cause reductions in emissions in Australia?
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 report on giving customers a greater voice in urban water sector
Frontier (Australia) has undertaken a review of urban water customer choice options, policy drivers and regulatory instruments for the National Water Commission.
Taxi reform to commence in Victoria
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.
Trading on illusions – client briefing on Australia innovation strategy
Frontier’s latest client briefing discusses the Australian Government's Industry and Innovation Strategy.
Taken For A Ride?
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 [...]
FIT for purpose? – Frontier Economics client briefing
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.
FIT for purpose?
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 [...]
The Invisible Handout – Frontier Christmas Bulletin 2012
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 [...]
Victorian Taxi Industry Inquiry Final Report Released
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 [...]
Measure for measure
Do estimates of virtual water and food miles really help consumers to make environmentally friendly choices?
Impact on ten APEC economies of changes to EU classifications regarding Nickel
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 [...]
Carbon Pricing In The NEM: Day One
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.
Victorian Taxi Inquiry publishes draft recommendations
The Victorian Taxi Industry Inquiry today published its draft recommendations on the reform of the Victorian taxi and hire car industry.
National rail safety regulatory regime on track
States met today at the 2nd Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure (SCOTI) to consider a range of major transport reforms.
Starting Over
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.
Starting over: the future of the media conglomerate
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 [...]
Australian National Water Commission launches water and climate change report
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 [...]
Australian National Water Commission launches water trading report
The Australian National Water Commission today published “Impacts of water trading in the southern Murray–Darling Basin between 2006-07 and 2010-11”.
Google It – Frontier Economics bulletin
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 [...]
Frontier submission to Senate Select Committee on carbon tax pricing mechanisms
The Australian Senate Select Committee on Scrutiny of New Taxes has been inquiring into a range of carbon tax pricing mechanisms.
Benefit-Cost Analysis of Locust Control
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 [...]
Urban Water in Australia – Future Directions
Today the National Water Commission (NWC) launched Urban Water in Australia: Future Directions to promote reform in the urban water sector.
Green is good, but at what cost?
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 [...]
Australia Government inquires in carbon tax pricing mechanisms
The Australian Senate Select Committee on Scrutiny of New Taxes has been looking at a number of proposals, including a possible carbon tax.
What’s The Cost Of Carbon Uncertainty?
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 [...]
Productivity Commission proposes changes to rural research and development
The Australian Government's Productivity Commission (PC) has today released its draft report on Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs).
The Times, They’re A Changin’
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, [...]
What is sport worth to Australia?
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) held its biennial conference, Our Sporting Futures, on 29 and 30 July 2010.
Australian sport secures biggest funding boost in its history
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 [...]
Economic contribution of sport to Australia
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 [...]
International drivers of rural R&D
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 [...]
International drivers of rural R&D
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
Evaluation of the revised Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
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 [...]
The impact of volumetric restrictions on water entitlement trade
Frontier Economics has completed a report on volumetric trading limits in intra-regional trade in water access entitlements for the ACCC.
Adapting to climate change: assessing the economic benefits
Frontier (Australia) has completed a report for the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance on adaptation responses to climate change.
The Economic Impact of the CPRS and Modifications to the CPRS
Frontier Economics has released a report that provides independent modelling of the Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).
The AEMC releases interim report on the impact of climate change policies
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 [...]
Ambush Marketing Legislation Review released
The Australian Government has released the final report of the Review of Ambush Marketing Legislation.
Expert report on proposals to build a National Broadband Network of Australia
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 [...]
Improving Water Management In Northern Victoria
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 [...]
Australian Government seeks proposals to build a national broadband network
The Australian Government announced the release of an RFP to roll-out and operate a national broadband network.
National Frameworks For Primary Industries Research Development And Extension – Economic Considerations
This report reviews reforms to the RDE framework in Australia for primary industries and suggests improvements to funding and institutional arrangements.
Allocating slots in fruit and vegetable market
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.