Key Points:
In the same way as a telecommunications carrier enjoys a
regulated monopoly return, the same logic could be applied to the
provision of substantial economic infrastructure.
Historically, infrastructure delivery is planned, delivered and
funded by governments, but with the constraints now affecting
government budgets, new forms of financing are being explored.
Since public infrastructure shares many characteristics with
telecommunications carriers, the infrastructure policies of
telecommunications carriers could be a solution.
Defining Australia's public infrastructure
problem
Historically governments have taken the lead role in providing
and funding infrastructure in Australia. Although the private
sector has become more involved in financing and running
infrastructure, generally privatisation of important public assets
has been and continues to be politically unpopular.
