000			01863pab a2200205 454500
008			180718b1996 xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
100			_aHarman, Elizabeth J.
245			_aThe potential for local diversity in implementation of the national competition policy
260			_c1996
300			_ap.12-25
362			_aJun
520			_aAustralian governments have embarked on a major effort to improve the competitiveness of the economy by adoption of a national competition policy (NCP). The policy extends the scope of trade practices legislation to encompass the public sector and professions, modernises policy in the areas of pricing and access powers, and is intended to revitalise the microeconomic reform agenda. The intended result is an integrated national economy, more uniform and consistent business regulation across the country and improved levels of competitiveness. But, there is an inherent tension between the imperatives for harmonisation, uniformity and reduced regulation on the one hand and tendencies for local diversity and increased regulation on the other. This article explores this tension with illustrations taken from three key aspects of the policy - opportunities for institutional diversity, treatment of the public interest and the prognosis for an integrated national, competitive market. The potential for each jurisdiction in Australia to take diverse and problematic approaches to the implementation of competition policy is then re-examined through the mechanism of a specialised case study involving the regulation of access to gas pipelines in Western Australia. - Reproduced
650			_aPublic sector - Australia
650			_aPublic sector
650			_aEconomic planning
650			_aEconomic reform
700			_aHarman, Frank J.
773			_aAustralian Journal of Public Administration
909			_a33000
999			_c33000 _d33000