Edition 15 - August 2021
In this month’s newsletter Dr John Hamill, Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Essential Services Commission, describes the ESC’s journey to better protect vulnerable consumers, demonstrating how an economic regulator can also engage with public value creation.
Jobs board
Great news! NRCoP corporate members now have access to FREE advertising of regulatory policy and practice roles, which will reach 6,200 subscribers to the NRCoP. Here’s the link to the advertising form NRCoP Jobs Submission Form. Check new regulatory jobs opportunities here, or scroll to the end of this newsletter.
Other content comes from a wide range of regulatory agencies and can be further explored in the Regulation Policy & Practice Collection on APO.
If you have content suggestions for this collection contact Penelope Aitken (Collections Editor, APO) paitken@apo.org.au
We also welcome topic suggestions for subsequent editions. Contact Dr Lorraine Cherney, Manager ANZSOG/NRCoP via regulators@anzsog.edu.au
GUEST EDITORIAL
"The Victorian Essential Service Commission (ESC)’s Getting to Fair strategy seeks to bring down the barriers that consumers face when accessing and engaging with essential services. It is a three-year roadmap for the ESC to improve the experience of consumers experiencing vulnerability."
Dr John Hamill is the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Essential Services Commission. He was previously General Manager, Regulation at the New Zealand Commerce Commission, responsible for regulation of electricity, gas, telecommunications, and airports regulation in New Zealand.
NEW THIS MONTH
Facing the risk
Center for Strategic and International Studies
27 Jul 2021 | Report | Social issues, Technology
Thanks to a decade of rapid progress in the field of computer vision, facial recognition technology (FRT) has become a commercial product available to almost any government or business in the world. This report examines how operators and policymakers can craft an appropriate and tailored governance framework that considers the full spectrum of potential impacts.
Losing our agnosticism: how to make Australia’s foreign influence laws work
Australian Strategic Policy Institute
22 Jul 2021 | Report | Government, International relations, National security
This report argues that Australia’s foreign influence laws should be amended to adopt a 'tiered' model, under which conduct originating in certain 'designated countries' would be subject to greater regulation than activity from other sources.
Faith-based charities and hope
ABC Radio National
21 Jul 2021 | Audio | Economics, Social issues
When federal parliament resumes next month, the Senate will vote on controversial new regulations governing charities. One leading Liberal Senator, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, has expressed her fear that the rule could curb freedom of speech.
Freshwater farm plan regulations
Government of New Zealand
14 Jul 2021 | Discussion paper | Environment
This consultation document seeks feedback on options that will inform the development of freshwater farm plan regulations under part 9A of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020.
Strengthening Australia’s cyber security regulations and incentives: a call for views
Government of Australia
13 Jul 2021 | Discussion paper | Economics, National security, Technology
This discussion paper seeks the public's views about how the Australian government can encourage businesses to invest in cyber security, including through possible regulatory changes.
A frequent flyer levy
New Economics Foundation
10 Jul 2021 | Report | Economics, Environment
The authors of this document consider the policy options and instruments available to the UK government to reduce aviation travel and to ensure carbon reduction targets can be achieved.
Could trade agreements help address the wicked problem of cross-border disinformation?
Centre for International Governance Innovation
6 Jul 2021 | Report | Communications, Economics, International relations
This paper looks at how policy-makers can use trade agreements to mitigate disinformation and spam, while implementing financial and trade sanctions against entities and countries that engage in disseminating cross-border disinformation.
Sentiment and uncertainty about regulation
Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis (ANU)
5 Jul 2021 | Working paper | Economics
Regulatory policy can create economic and social benefits, but poorly designed or excessive regulation may generate substantial adverse effects on the economy. In this paper, the authors present measures of sentiment and uncertainty about regulation in the United States over time and examine the relationships with macroeconomic performance.
Nudge and co-design: complementary or contradictory approaches?
Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG)
30 Jun 2021 | Article | Government, Social issues
Nudge and co-design are gaining popularity as innovative approaches to solving policy problems. An article in Policy Studies compares these two approaches. It also reflects on the implications for policy effectiveness, political trust and government legitimacy.
Effectiveness of planning and implementation of reform by the Australian Skills Quality Authority
Australian National Audit Office
29 Jun 2021 | Report | Education, Government
The objective of this audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Australian Skills Quality Authority’s planning and implementation of reform to the regulation of the vocational education and training sector.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Report on the deliberative engagement process with Victorian consumers
Essential Services Commission
4 May 2021 | Report | Social issues
This report documents the deliberative community engagement program delivered to inform Vulnerability Strategy to facilitate more equitable access to essential services.
Regulation for the future: the implications of public purpose for policy and regulation in utilities
Sustainability First
15 Mar 2021 | Report | Built environment, Environment, Social issues
This report follows extensive in-depth research and analysis into how utilities can better address the politics of fairness and the environment and makes recommendations for rethinking the regulatory system to deliver fairness for people and planet.
Enhancing access and support for water customers with cognitive disabilities
Melbourne Social Equity Institute, Essential Services Commission
15 Jul 2020 | Guide | Built environment, Social issues
Water is an essential service. All customers need to understand how the water services they use are provided, regulated and priced, but water businesses’ current processes may not serve the needs of every customer. This guide provides practical resources to assist water retailers to enhance access to services and support for customers with cognitive disabilities.
Return on investment of effective complaints management: public sector organisations
Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals, University of Newcastle
15 Jun 2020 | Report | Government
This report explores the application and effectiveness of complaints management in government organisations in Australia.
Moving to zero: accelerating the transition to zero-emissions transport
ClimateWorks Australia
5 Jun 2020 | Report | Environment, Science
This publication is Australia’s first comprehensive guide to reaching zero emissions in the transportation sector. It draws from an extensive survey of over 300 reports, research papers, news articles and transport policy documents, which where were collated over nine months.
Providing family violence support
Essential Services Commission
31 Oct 2018 | Discussion paper | Economics, Social issues
In response to the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence, the government has asked us to provide guidance on the policies and practices energy companies should adopt to assist them engage with survivors, victims and perpetrators of family violence.
UPCOMING FREE EVENTS
19 August 2021
12pm - 1pm
Facilitator: Rob Nicholls
Presenters: Monika Sarder, Katie Miller and Anne Lenz
From innovative new tech tools to the role of citizens in digital government, from Robodebt to the problem of racist assumptions invisibly embedded in algorithms, please join our brilliant panel to explore ‘the good, the bad and the seriously scary’. Register now.
JOBS BOARD
Manager - Systems Safety
11 AUG 2021
Canberra
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
As the Manager of Systems Safety, you will be a senior leader within Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Policy & Regulation division. You will be responsible for leading and managing a team of dedicated professionals in the development, implementation and administration of a range of maritime... Read more
Executive Director - Health and Safety
17 AUG 2021
Melbourne
WorkSafe Victoria
Reporting to the CEO, the Executive Director of Health and Safety is a critical leadership role focused on executing the organisations strategic plan and providing clear and supportive leadership whilst navigating the complexity of the demanding operating environment... Read more
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