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.
New briefing – NBN Wholesale Market Indicator Reports
A new briefing from Frontier Economics examines the latest edition of the ACCC's NBN Wholesale Market Indicators report.
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.
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 [...]
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 [...]
ACCC’s Communications Market Study: Anticipations And Speculations
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 [...]
Sudden Impact
Scrutinising the wholesale price impact of assisted closure of brown coal power stations.
Outcome of merits review of Australian Energy Regulator (AER) reset decisions for NSW and ACT networks
On 26 February 2016, the Australian Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) issued its judgment in relation to merits reviews, sought by consumer groups and several regulated energy networks, of recent [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Can Australia still meet its emissions target with changes in the RET?
The recently released Renewable Energy Target (RET) Review Expert Panel Report recommends two options for reducing the role of renewable energy in meeting Australia’s emissions reduction target.
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, [...]
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. [...]
Overpowering
Why The Carbon Price Will Have A Limited Impact In Reducing Electricity Emissions. The Australian Government’s recently announced carbon pricing scheme – based on a cap and trade system – has [...]
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
On 8 May 2013 the then Minister for Climate Change, the Hon Greg Combet declared that “…. the carbon price mechanism that the Government has implemented is working. It is doing what it was [...]
Review Of Urban Water Customer Choice Options, Policy Drivers And Regulatory Instruments
In order to identify opportunities for reform in urban water policy to ensure that the sector was well placed to meet customer and community expectations in the future, in 2011 the Commission [...]
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?
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 [...]
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.
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 [...]
The Economic Impact Of The CPRS
The Economic Impact Of The CPRS. Frontier (Australia) has released a report that provides independent modelling of the Government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), and which [...]
Termination Fees For Irrigation Services And Landholder Decisions
Many irrigators in Murray-Darling Basin access water by holding tradeable water entitlements, which relate to a specific water resource such as a dam. In recent years governments have taken steps [...]
Mechanisms For Funding Bio-Security Measures
This report examines how cost recovery mechanisms can be developed in a manner that creates stronger incentives for private parties to manage those types of biosecurity measures they are best [...]
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 [...]
Options For The Design Of Emissions Trading Schemes In Australia
Options For The Design Of Emissions Trading Schemes In Australia. An updated submission to the Garnaut Climate Change Review.
The Concept Of ‘Virtual Water’ — A Critical Review
A Report Prepared For The Victorian Department Of Primary Industries. ‘Virtual water’ is an estimate of the amount of water involved in the production of a particular product. The virtual water [...]
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.
The Proposed Australian Cartel Offence
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 [...]
Options For Moving To A Lower Emission Future
A Report By AGL, Frontier Economics And WWF-Australia On The Economic Costs Of Different Emission Reduction Pathways In The Australian Electricity Sector.