POLICY
DIRECTIONS
David Bray, Economic and Policy Services Pty Ltd
Policy directions
Review of technical issues
Public policy formulation
Ways forward
Technical Issues
Supply chains, networks and globalisation
Mode choice - movement rather than mode
perhaps there – for non-urban transport
Future growth in demand
accepted thinking
considerable growth anticipated
Providing adequate system capacity
a challenge
need for robustness
relative cost of infrastructure and operations
timing
Technical issues - continued
Economic growth
Renewed
emphasis
Productivity
Operational
Safety
Public
efficiency
views and government actions
Environment
Firmly
on the agenda
Limited agreement on best ways forward
Technical issues - continued
Technical issues given less emphasis
Capital
financing
Pricing
Urban
transport
The policy process
Sabatier (1999) “Theories of the Policy Process”
Some common themes for more comprehensive
frameworks (multiple streams, punctuated
equilibrium, advocacy coalition)
Policy
communities
Policy windows
Policy entrepreneurs
Also role for policy diffusion, funnel of causality, etc
Implications
We do not control the agenda
Though
we try to varying degrees to influence it
We are part of policy communities
We need to have policy analysis available
To
support policy communities
For when it is needed
Two related issues – Ease of Change
Different capacity for transport sub-sectors to
accommodate growth, ranging through:
Aviation
Road
transport and logistics
Rail transport
Urban transport
In part related to the complexity of action
- and Rationale for Action
Can discern presented policies and proposals that
are
Demand
led
Supply led
Vision or Aspirational – which can be
Principles
based
Outcome based
All have merits and risks
Policy Directions - Achievements
Some big issues are in place
Labour
aspects of micro-economic reform
Concern for efficiency gains
Role of rail given clearer prominence and framework is
in place
In general, fixed assets and operations are separated
for all modes
A
productive tension
Negative effect of protection
Safety
also given new prominence
Future issues
Infrastructure
Safety
Environment
Strategic planning
Pricing
Urban transport
Infrastructure
Providing capacity
Anticipating
demand
Prioritising projects
Scheduling implementation
Auslink
Have
we replaced one moral hazard with another?
Road infrastructure
How
much road infrastructure?
Sustaining road assets - how to increase discipline?
Safety
How to improve walking-the-walk
Limits
to what can be done internally
The importance of demand led approaches
Community
buy-in and behaviour change
Giving politicians the support they need
Environment
The awakening giant
Different perspectives on solutions
Need to keep research and policy analysis broadbased and current
Importance of public attitudes and response
Strategic planning
International practice
Germany,
Greater Mekong Subregion, China
What does this mean for us – some needs
Understand
context
Recognise drivers of change
Understand the available policy instruments
Commit to following through
Clear thinking; coordination; innovation & trialling
Implications of planning in a market economy
Pricing
Progress in Germany
In Australia
Has
Phase I ended – in a stalemate?
Future needs
Keep
policy analysis current
Look for short term opportunities,
eg fixed to variable pricing
Potential role for insurance companies
Urban transport
The lumbering giant
General concurrence on the vision
Limited success to date
Will need to consider the roles for
Demand
led and planned outcome approaches
Persuasion, prices and regulation policy instruments
Thanks
to
DOTARS, BTRE,
Phil Potterton & other staff
and the speakers
for an excellent Colloquium
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