AEMC publishes its 2014 price trends report
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has released its 2014 Residential Electricity Price Trends report.
Frontier Economics welcomes SFG Consulting and new executive directors
Specialist financial economists Professor Stephen Gray and Dr Jason Hall from SFG Consulting Pty Ltd, along with Andrew Harpham from our energy team have joined Frontier (Australia) as executive [...]
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 [...]
AER releases draft decisions on revenues for NSW and ACT energy businesses
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released its draft decisions on the revenue proposals submitted by ACT and NSW distribution and transmission businesses, for the period commencing on 1 [...]
NZCC amends WACC percentile for price-quality regulation for electricity lines services and gas pipeline services
The New Zealand Commerce Commission has released its final determination on one aspect of its approach to estimating the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) for regulated electricity lines [...]
Frontier presents at 12th Annual UniSA Competition and Consumer Workshop
Frontier Economics (Australia) Chairman Philip Williams presented at the 12th Annual University of South Australia Competition and Consumer Workshop, held 10-11 October 2014.
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.
ACCC clears acquisition by Coles of 3 Supa IGA stores in WA
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today announced that it will not oppose the proposed acquisition of three Progressive Supa IGA supermarkets by Coles/Wesfarmers.
Frontier presents at the 2014 Competition and Consumer workshop
Frontier (Australia) chairman Philip Williams presented at the Law Council of Australia 2014 Competition and Consumer Workshop, held on the 13th and 14th of September in Brisbane, Australia.
ACCC drops investigation of cinema acquisition
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today discontinued its investigation into the acquisition of the Cinema Hyperplex in Loganholme, Brisbane.
Expecting The Unexpected: The Challenges Of Traffic Forecasting
Inaccurate traffic forecasts are not a recent phenomenon. However, these inaccuracies are increasingly being exposed as a result of the greater involvement of the private sector in road development.
Frontier report on regulation of urban water industry released
Today, the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) announced the release of the report “Improving Economic Regulation in the Urban Water Industry”.
ACCC clears acquisition by Aquis of Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced that it will not oppose the bid by Aquis to acquire the Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns.
Expecting the unexpected – New Frontier Economics bulletin
The latest bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at the challenges of traffic forecasting.
Uber regulated? – New Frontier Economics bulletin
Frontier (Australia)’s latest bulletin considers how we should regulate new smartphone-based taxi apps like Uber.
Uber Regulated?
How We Should Regulate ‘Smartphone’ Taxi Apps. The emergence of smartphone-based apps to order and pay for taxis could revolutionise how these markets work – and reduce the need for onerous regulation.
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, [...]
Administration of Victoria’s Courts removed from Department of Justice
A new statutory authority, Court Services Victoria (CSV) takes over the administration of courts in the state of Victoria from today.
Thinking outside the box: calculating damages
Explicit agreements among competitors that fix prices are illegal – and for good reason. If the collusion is successful, prices will be higher and output lower. But cartels are not always very [...]
AGL given green light on proposed acquisition of Macquarie Generation
The Australian Competition Tribunal (ACT) today granted approval for AGL to pursue its proposed $1.5bn acquisition of Macquarie Generation, the largest generation portfolio in New South Wales.
Against the odds?
As excitement over the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil mounts, Frontier’s economists have been getting into the party spirit in the way that only economists can: by collecting data.
Against the odds: Frontier bulletin on the value of teams at the World Cup
As excitement over the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil mounts, Frontier’s economists have been getting into the party spirit in the way that only economists can: by collecting data…
Pray For Rain: ACCC’s Loss Capitalisation Model
A fundamental objective of economic regulation is to ensure a regulated firm has a reasonable opportunity to recover its efficiently-incurred costs. Without this opportunity, such a firm will no [...]
Pray for Rain – New Frontier Economics bulletin
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC’s) recent draft decision on how State Water’s volume risk should be managed departs from standard regulatory practice. This bulletin [...]
New Australia-Japan Free Trade Agreement
Trade negotiators from Japan and Australia today announced the successful conclusion of negotiations on an agreement, known as the Japan Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, that will lead [...]
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. [...]
Time for solar to pay its way
An article by Rajat Sood from Frontier (Australia) looks at the issue of tariffs in regard to solar-voltaic panels.
Frontier Chairman awarded honour in Australia Day honours list
Frontier (Australia) Chairman Philip Williams has been named a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Australia Day honours list.