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The book traces the development and consequences of the economic reform measures undertaken in the utilities sector in Australia (communications, energy, water/wastewater services, and transport) in the last years of the 20th century, and early decades of the 21st century.
List of contents
- Part I: Background and themes
- 1: Australia's public utilities: an introduction to an era of reform
- 2: The historical development of Australia's public utilities
- Part II: The historical development of Australia's public utilities
- 3: National Competition Policy: its genesis and design
- 4: Corporatization and privatization: the pros and cons
- 5: Dealing with natural monopolies: utility regulation in Australia
- Part III: Utility industries
- 6: The vital connections: communications
- 7: Powering the economy: the energy sector
- 8: The hardest reform of all: water supply and wastewater services
- 9: Moving the nation forward: rail, seaports, and airports
- Part IV: Outcomes and Conclusion
- 10: Regulation, corporatization, and privatization: assessing the economic impacts of reform
- 11: Conclusion: the way forward
- Bibliography
About the author
Malcolm Abbott is an economist by profession who specialises in research in energy markets, water supply, transport, and network industries in general. In the past he has worked for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, KPMG and as a ministerial advisor. He is currently an Associate Professor of Economics at the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Melbourne.
Bruce Cohen is a private consultant and former barrister who has worked extensively in the energy and water sectors in Australia. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from The Australian National University and has been a member of the board of directors of a number of utility companies, a Commissioner of the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission, and a former Chair of VicTrack and the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.
Summary
The book traces the development and consequences of the economic reform measures undertaken in the utilities sector in Australia (communications, energy, water/wastewater services, and transport) in the last years of the 20th century, and early decades of the 21st century.
