On 30 November 2012, the Productivity Commission (PC) moved to
the next stage of its review of the National Access Regime by
releasing its Issues Paper. The Issues Paper is intended to assist
interested parties prepare initial submissions, which are due by 8
February 2013.
What is the review?
As noted in our
Competition & Regulation Update on 26 October 2012, the PC
review is reassessing the National Access Regime's operation
and will provide its recommended law changes to the Federal
Government in October 2013.
What does the Issues Paper say?
PC review is comprehensive
The review is not limited to considering incremental change. The
Issues Paper confirms that the PC is preparing to fully examine the
rationale, role and objectives of the National Access Regime and
will, as appropriate, assess, report on and make recommendations
regarding any aspect of the Regime and its performance to date. The
PC is even considering whether Australia needs the National
