Lunchtime Seminar: Lessons learned in introducing competition into markets for social services
Date
From: Thursday August 31, 2017, 12:30 pm
To: Thursday August 31, 2017, 1:30 pm
Abstract:
Introducing competition in previously regulated markets is not new in Australia. But recently this trend has expanded and policy-makers are now looking to use market reform in sectors where governments traditionally subsidise or deliver social services. There are many examples of the benefits of market reforms, but social service markets are complex. If the potential pitfalls are not recognised, the consequences can be large, high-profile failures.
Deborah Cope’s presentation discusses approaches and pitfalls to successful market reform in complex markets for social services. It uses the Victorian VET and VET FEE-HELP as a case study to examine problems that are commonly overlooked with market reforms are first introduced, and to demonstrate how important it is to take into account the complexity of the market when designing reforms.
About the Speaker:
Deborah Cope is a Tribunal Member with the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, and has been the principal of a consulting business, PIRAC Economics, since 2000. She has 30 years’ experience in policy analysis and development, across economic, social and environmental fields. PIRAC Economics has provided economic analysis and policy advice to clients in Australia and overseas, in areas that include regulatory reform, competition policy, consumer policy, infrastructure regulation, and competitive neutrality. Recently, PIRAC Economics provided advice on changes to vocational education and training reforms in Victoria.
Deborah is also on the Victorian Essential Service Commission Appeal Panel Register. She was a Commissioner for the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission from 2008 to 2015, and was Deputy Executive Director for the National Competition Council, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Office of Northern Development in Darwin.
Deborah was a Board member for the Centre of Social Research (Darwin) and the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Tropical Savannas. She also chaired the industry consultative committee for the CRC.
Bookings are now closed
Venue
RBA
65 Martin Place, SYDNEY NSW 2000