04/11/2016

A high profile workshop in Melbourne today will debate some important policy developments impacting Australia’s infrastructure and investment. 

Australia’s leading infrastructure owners, users, economists, policy and regulatory experts are gathering for Gilbert + Tobin’s third annual infrastructure policy workshop with keynote speaker, renowned academic and businessman, Professor Fred Hilmer AO.  
Also joining as a panellist will be ACCC Chairman, Rod Sims.

Gilbert + Tobin Partner, Simon Muys, who is hosting the workshop, said this year’s event came at an interesting time for infrastructure policy in Australia.  

“We’re seeing rapid technological changes and innovative business models in some markets, such as energy, putting pressure on the traditional grid and our approach to regulation of network investment.  

“At the same time, in other markets, the ACCC appears to be looking to impose heavier-handed regulatory in areas that have traditionally been lightly regulated to encourage investment.  Interesting and contentious debates also emerged recently in relation to privatisation processes for a number of East Coast ports.”

“There is a lot happening in these markets and a lot is at stake in some of these regulatory debates.  We are delighted to have Professor Hilmer, Mr Sims and the rest of the panellists join us to explore these issues.”   
Professor Hilmer will deliver a keynote address, after which there will be a panel discussion involving Mr Sims.  Other panellists are:

•    Nevenka Codevelle – General Counsel and Company Secretary, APA Group;
•    Frank Coldwell – Glencore;
•    Stephen King – Leading economist and member of the Productivity Commission; and
•    Catherine Dermody – Barrister and regulation specialist.

The session will be moderated by Gilbert + Tobin regulatory specialist and co author of a recently released book on Access Regulation in Australia, Morelle Bull.

Gilbert + Tobin has identified the emerging issues impacting infrastructure in a Rethinking Regulation Policy Insights Publication, that can be accessed here.

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