On 28 August 1998 the Treasurer referred the impact of competition policy reforms on rural and regional Australia for inquiry and report within 12 months of receiving the reference. The Commission was to assess the impact (both transitional and ongoing) of the competition policy and related...

The Productivity Commission was asked to report on the Implementation of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) by Commonwealth Departments and Agencies. The inquiry was to cover all Commonwealth departments and agencies with major responsibility for implementing EDS, or whose activities...

Australian, state and territory regimes came under review for the Commission's inquiry into native vegetation and biodiversity regulations. The Commission's preliminary findings were released for public comment in December 2003. It found that the cost of farm regulations could be reduced if good...

This Productivity Commission inquiry report was released on 12 October 2012. Default superannuation arrangements for those employees who derive their default superannuation product in accordance with modern awards have provided market stability, and net returns of default funds have generally...

There are almost 140 000 retail businesses in Australia, accounting for 4.1 per cent of GDP and 10.7 per cent of employment. Both current trading conditions and longer term trends are challenging. Retail sales growth has trended down over the past half-decade as consumers save more of their...

The Productivity Commission's inquiry report into The Private Cost Effectiveness of Improving Energy Efficiency, was released on 21 October 2005. The Commission was asked to report on the economic and environmental potential offered by energy efficiency improvements. The Commission found that...

The Productivity Commission�s inquiry report into �Waste Management� was released in December 2006. The Australian Government asked the Commission to identify policies that would enable Australia to address market failures and externalities associated with the generation and disposal of...

The Productivity Commission's inquiry report into the "Conservation of Australia's Historic Heritage Places," was released on 21 July 2006. The Commission was asked to examine the policy framework and incentives for the conservation of Australia's historic built heritage places. Some key...

On 17 January 1997 the Government referred ecologically sustainable land management in Australia for inquiry and report within 12 months. For the purposes of this inquiry, land used for agricultural or pastoral purposes includes both the land and associated vegetation, and ground and surface...

The Productivity Commission's inquiry report into the Australian Pigmeat Industry, was released on 16 August 2005. The Commission was asked to examine the competitive situation and outlook for the pigmeat industry in Australia. It found that while the pig producing and processing sectors...