Annual Report 2008-09
Annual report series
The Annual Report 2008-09 was tabled in Parliament on 29 October 2009 and forms part of the Commission's annual report series.
A technical note providing supporting technical detail on the modelling referred to in Chapter 1 was released on 30 November 2009. For queries regarding the technical note, please contact Dr Xiao-guang Zhang on (03) 9653 2192.
Download the report
- Contents
- Media release
- Preliminaries (PDF - 820 Kb)
Cover, Copyright, Letter, Acknowledgments, Contents, Abbreviations
-
Theme chapter
Chapter 1 Reform beyond the crisis (PDF - 263 Kb)What has happened so far?
The costs of higher protection
Financial sector support and regulation
Securing future economic growth in Australia - Technical note - Modelling supporting the Productivity Commission Annual Report 2008-09 (PDF - 460 Kb)
- Chapter 2 Review of Commission activities and performance (PDF - 311 Kb)
Overview
Year in review
Transparency and public consultation
Feedback on the Commission's work
Policy and wider impacts
Associated reporting - Appendix A - Management and accountability (PDF - 402 Kb)
- Appendix B - Program performance (PDF - 443 Kb)
- Appendix C - Government commissioned projects (PDF - 259 Kb)
- Appendix D - Supporting research and related activities (PDF - 217 Kb)
- Appendix E - Publications (PDF - 158 Kb)
- Appendix F - Financial statements (PDF - 415 Kb)
- References (PDF - 207 Kb)
- Index (PDF - 157 Kb)
Reform Beyond the Crisis
The global financial crisis has reaffirmed the importance of open and liberal international trading arrangements and an ongoing commitment to economic reform, according to the Productivity Commission in its Annual Report released today.
The financial crisis and resulting economic downturn have seen world trade decline to an unprecedented extent in a short period. Although there has not been widespread resort to trade barriers, some countries have imposed non-tariff, or 'behind the border' measures. Modelling by the Commission suggests that resort to further protection internationally could come at a high cost to Australia and the global economy.
The financial sector received substantial support in most developed countries during the crisis, which played a key role in stabilising financial markets. Reforms to financial regulation are currently under consideration. The challenge here will be for governments to target the causes of any undue risk taking within financial institutions, without detracting from desirable innovation and cost reductions over time which would benefit consumers and industry alike. Commission modelling again shows that the potential costs of getting the regulatory balance wrong could be high.
More generally, the Commission observed that when budgetary pressures are paramount, 'off-budget' regulation can have attractions over 'on-budget' program expenditure. Rigorous evaluation and review processes for regulation are particularly important at such times.
The Commission argues that Australia's recovery from the crisis will be determined in part by the nature and timing of economic reform. Reforms that can most readily promote flexibility in labour and capital markets, ease fiscal pressures and promote productivity deserve particular priority. In the longer term, continuing to make progress on Australia's wider reform agenda remains important for the future living standards of Australians, notwithstanding the immediate impacts of the financial crisis.
02 6240 3330