The Commission commenced six new projects at the request of the Australian Government in 2018‑19. This follows the commencement of five new projects in 2017‑18.

• In March 2018, the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand announced a review into how Australia and New Zealand can work together to remove barriers to growing the digital economy between the two countries and within the region. The study, which was directed to commence in September 2018, was jointly conducted by the Australian Productivity Commission and the New Zealand Productivity Commission. The study report was released in February 2019.
• In November 2018, the Government asked the Commission to undertake an inquiry into the role of mental health in supporting social and economic participation, and enhancing productivity and economic growth. The terms of reference asked the Commission to make recommendations on measures to improve mental health that will produce higher social and economic participation benefits over the long term. The Commission will release a draft report in late October 2019.
• The Commission commenced a review into the zone tax offset and related remote area tax concessions and payments in February 2019. The draft study report, released in September 2019, evaluated the objectives, design, operation and effects of the zone tax offset, fringe benefits tax remote area concessions and the Remote Area Allowance. It also considered alternatives to these concessions and payments. The final study report will be released in February 2020.
• In April 2019, the Commission commenced a review of the Australian and Northern Territory Governments’ expenditure on children and family services in the Northern Territory. The Commission is to consider the objectives, governance and implementation of current funding arrangements; and principles and approaches for governance and funding to promote better outcomes. The Commission will release a draft report in November 2019.
• The Government asked the Commission to review national transport regulatory reform in April 2019. The inquiry is to investigate the long‑run economic impacts of the reforms agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2008‑09, which related to heavy vehicle safety and productivity, rail safety and maritime safety. The review is also to consider reforms to further integrate the national market for transport services. The Commission will release a draft report in November 2019.
• In April 2019, the Government also requested the Commission develop a whole‑of‑government evaluation strategy for policies and programs affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The Commission is to review the performance of agencies against the strategy over time, focusing on potential improvements and lessons for all governments. The Commission will release a draft report in February 2020.

There were six public inquiries and five research studies underway at some point during 2018‑19 (Program of public inquiries and other government-commissioned projects and Projects commenced, on hand and completed).

Program of public inquiries and other government-commissioned projectsNote: Shaded area indicates the approximate duration of the project in the period covered by the figure.

Projects commenced, on hand and completeda: Figures are for financial years. b: As at 30 June 2019.

Six inquiries or studies were completed in 2018‑19, including the joint study with the New Zealand Productivity Commission on growing the digital economy. Other completed inquiries or studies were:

• an inquiry into compensation and rehabilitation for veterans, which examined how the current compensation and rehabilitation system for veterans operates, how it should operate into the future, and whether it is ‘fit for purpose’
• a review of the economic regulation of airports, which assessed the light‑handed approach to airport regulation against the objectives of promoting economically efficient operation of and investment in airports, minimising compliance costs and facilitating commercially negotiated outcomes
• the first five‑year assessment of the Murray‑Darling Basin Plan, which made findings on progress to date in implementing the Basin Plan and recommendations on actions required to ensure effective achievement of Basin Plan outcomes
• the third and final stage of the superannuation inquiry, which assessed the efficiency and competitiveness of the superannuation system and made recommendations to improve outcomes for members and system stability
• a review of the National Disability Agreement, the first of the Commission’s reviews of nationally significant sector‑wide agreements. The Commission considered the relevance of the agreement in the context of contemporary policy settings and whether it needed updating.

Further information on public inquiries and commissioned studies undertaken during 2018‑19 is available on the Commission’s website. Trends in public inquiry activity and participation over the past five years are shown in Projects commenced, on hand and completed and Public inquiry and other commissioned project activity, 2014-15 to 2018-19.