Water Sector Reform and Resilience: Insights from the UK's Cunliffe Review and Implications for Australia

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The UK water sector is entering a period of once-in-a-generation reform. Following a comprehensive review led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, which made 88 recommendations to “reset the water sector and restore the trust that has been lost”, the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a White Paper in early 2026 setting out how the UK Government intends to take forward reform.

The proposed changes are wide-ranging, covering sector planning, regulation, governance, investment, financial resilience and the future approach to supervision of water companies.

Please join us to hear from Annabelle Ong, Executive Director at Frontier Economics Europe, and one of the UK’s leading water regulatory economists. She is recognised as an expert on the challenges facing the UK water sector, and is currently working with the UK water industry and government on the implementation of the Cunliffe Review recommendations.

She will share insights into the circumstances that led to the review, the key reforms now being taken forward through the White Paper, and what these changes may mean for the future of water regulation.

Annabelle will be joined by Frontier Economic Asia Pacific’s economist Deirdre Rose to explore the lessons for the Australian water industry, including what the UK experience may tell us about long-term planning, regulatory design, company supervision, financial resilience and public trust.

Event Details: Invitation-only breakfast session Date: Wednesday, 19th August 2026 Time: 8:30 am – 10:00 am Venue: Monash Conference Centre CBD, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne Please advise of any dietary requirements for a light breakfast when registering below.

Hosted by Frontier Economics Europe’s Annabelle Ong and Frontier Economic Asia Pacific’s Deirdre Rose.