Multibillion-dollar cost blowouts for poles and wires electricity transmission projects have prompted calls for major changes to the way developments are approved and kept on budget as Australia’s escalating fuel crisis puts extra pressure on governments to keep a lid on power prices.

Over the next decade, plans are to build at least $65-$85 billion in transmission lines across the east coast of Australia – more than tripling the value of our transmission grid. Transmission is essential for our energy transition, as renewable generation replaces our ageing coal fired power stations that are nearing the end of life.

he Policy Institute Australia (PIA) is warning that competition in Australia has declined and has called for a fresh $20 billion war chest to drive a revamped National Competition Policy reform package as part of the government’s upcoming productivity-focused budget.

‘Competition Pulse’, a new digital tracker, shows Australia is slipping on competition in critical industry sectors. Decisive action is needed to turn this around and give consumers more choice, lower prices and lower interest rates.

Across the East Coast, an admitted lawyer can’t practice without the say-so of the barristers who control the monopoly.

Policy Institute Australia welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that it is
revitalising the National Competition Council, and launching a major review to boost labour
mobility.
Policy Institute Australia’ recent report Match fit: Reinvigorating competition in Australia lays
out the case for a reinvigorated focus on competition policy to address Australians’ economic
challenges.

A year ago, we were told the housing market was about to cool, but it didn’t.  What’s in store for us in the year to come?  Guests:  Amy Auster, director of Policy Institute Australia Ben Phillips, principal Research Fellow at the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods Will house prices go up in 2026? – ABC listen