Ensuring that Government businesses don’t have a competitive advantage over other businesses is the focus of a new Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) review.
Acting Chair of IPART, Deborah Cope said that the current policies and processes to ensure competitive neutrality between State and local government owned businesses and other businesses were set in the past over 20 years ago.
“Government businesses compete across a range of industries, including manufacturing, laundry services, construction (including roads), waste disposal, gyms and fitness, tourism services, printing, childcare and aged care,” Ms Cope said.
“Some of the businesses across Australia over which competitive neutrality concerns have been raised include aquatic centres, nuclear medicine and land valuation and plumbing services.”
To commence the review, she said IPART was calling for submissions until 15 August on its Competitive neutrality in NSW Issues Paper which sets out current policies, issues and questions that the Tribunal would like to understand.
Ms Cope said the review would look at which Government businesses the current policies should apply to.
“We want to understand how well the current policies are working and if any improvements are needed,” the Deputy Chair said.
“It is important that we hear from private businesses and government businesses about their experiences,” she said.
“This includes how easy the guidance is to apply and if it is still relevant.”
Ms Cope said IPART would also look at information publishing requirements and how fair and accessible the complaints processes were.
IPART’s 89-page Issues Paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
