Regulatory policy and competition - economic regulation of industry

ACIL Tasman consults in regulatory policy, economic regulation, competition policy, analysis of third party access regimes and trade practices issues.

ACIL Tasman undertakes consulting projects that analyse, assess outcomes and advise on policy and legislative frameworks in the following areas:

• gas
  
• electricity
  
• water
  
• resources and mining
• transport.

Our practice involves substantial work in government affecting these factor including competition policy and industry regulation.

Industry regulation

ACIL Tasman is well-placed to advise on evolving regulatory and competitive environments. Our expertise includes the design of regulatory frameworks and the regulatory price review process. Issues include the price control framework, revenue building blocks such as the cost of capital and regulatory asset base, and benchmarking of costs.  ACIL Tasman also conducts financial modelling to support its analysis.

Regulatory policy

ACIL Tasman has contributed to the design and implementation of regulatory policies and regimes in numerous sectors in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Nigeria, Indonesia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and Samoa.

National Competition Policy reviews

ACIL Tasman has assisted in the preparation of submissions to many National Competition Policy reviews, across a wide range of industries. While that process is now complete, the methodology continues to have much in common with current competition-related work.

Trade practices, competition policy and related customs issues

Our work relating to Part IV of the Trade Practices Act has assisted private sector clients and their legal advisers with expert witness statements on industry definitions and market power issues. In addition, some assignments have been undertaken for regulators and other public sector bodies.

Third party access

ACIL Tasman has contributed to the development of national and state policy on third party access regulation for different essential services. Our consultants have thorough understanding of relevant economic theory, knowledge of Australian and overseas practice, and a willingness to explore the detail of particular cases. Past assignments have covered rail infrastructure, pipelines, water, telcos, airports and payment systems.

For gas clients we have undertaken analyses of access principles and tariffs for various transmission pipelines, and prepared regulatory submissions for both pipeline proponents and gas end users.

In the water industry we have considered how access regulation might apply to the industry, and assisted companies to devise appropriate access prices.

Our work in telecommunications includes advising government on regulations that are most able to achieve a stated aim, and advising private clients on how best to respond and fulfil their obligations in an ever changing market and regulatory environment.

In rail we have advised on the implication of access regimes for infrastructure providers and have assisted companies to develop applications for access.

See our industry regulation and competition policy case studies.

Please contact us in relation to trade practices, industry regulation and third party access consultancy projects.