Impacts and Benefits of COAG Reforms: Reporting Framework

The Commission has been requested to report every two to three years to COAG on the economic 'impacts and benefits' of COAG reforms. The Commission is also required to consider the extent to which Australia's reform potential is being achieved and opportunities for improvement. In preparation for its first report, the Commission has been requested to provide this framework report outlining its proposed approach. The Commission's 'framework' report was released in January 2011. It sets out for COAG's consideration the broad approach and a sequence of reporting priorities that the Commission could follow in its substantive reports. It highlights the need to look at both the direct and indirect impacts of any reform, and to recognise that not all of the impacts in some areas will be measureable in economic terms. Assessments will also require varying degrees of judgement, and these will need to be informed by effective consultation processes. The Commission has proposed that its first substantial report could cover reforms in the competition and regulation area, and reforms in the education area within the 'human capital' stream.