NO.018

PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION INQUIRY

The Productivity Commission has been instructed to undertake an inquiry into

the impacts of Commonwealth, State and Territory regulations relating to native

vegetation and biodiversity.

The 12 month inquiry will examine the regulatory impact in a range of areas,

including farming practices, productivity, sustainability and property values

and returns.

Concerns have been raised about the impact of regulation that provides for

the sustainable management of Australia’s native vegetation and biodiversity.

The Commonwealth considers there to be merit in examining the nature and duration

of these impacts.

Professor Warren Musgrave, Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics, University

of New England, and Dr Brian Fisher, Executive Director of the Australian Bureau

of Agricultural and Resource Economics, have been appointed as Associate Commissioners

to the inquiry.

Both Professor Musgrave and Dr Fisher will bring extensive experience in providing

high level policy analysis and advice to this inquiry.

A copy of the terms of reference and further information about the inquiry

is available on the Productivity Commission’s website, www.pc.gov.au.

MELBOURNE

14 April 2003

Contact: David Alexander 02 6277 7340