The Productivity Commission was asked to examine the effects of bilateral and regional trade agreements, including on trade and investment barriers, regional integration and Australia's economy generally. The Commission concluded the benefits of these agreements have been oversold and the...

Productivity at Australian container terminals has improved significantly in absolute terms since 1997 according to this international benchmarking study. For the sample of ship calls and terminals studied, productivity improved also in relative terms. The productivity improvement at Australian...

The Australian Government asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a study on the ‘effective' carbon prices that result from emissions and energy reduction policies in Australia and other key economies (the UK, USA, Germany, New Zealand, China, India, Japan and South Korea). The...

The Commission's final report on the parallel importation of books into Australia, released on 14 July, recommends removal of the current restrictions, with the industry having a period of three years to adjust before the changes take effect. The restrictions prevent Australian booksellers from...

The Productivity Commission's inquiry report, 'Review of Part X of the Trade Practices Act 1974: International Liner Cargo Shipping', was released on 5 October 2005. The Commission was asked to examine and report on the rational, effects and alternatives to Part X, which allow international...

The study compares manufacturer prices in Australia and seven other countries for 150 pharmaceuticals listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), as at 30 June 2000. The comprehensive study found that prices in the USA are between 80 to 160 per cent higher than in Australia, and prices...