Monopoly Control Government Ownership and Control of Network Utility Industries in Australia from 1788 to 1988

This book traces the historical development of the network utilities sector in Australia (communications, rail, gas, electricity, water supply, and sewerage services). It looks across industries, time periods and the state and federal jurisdictions, to identify what motivated the various governments to establish these enterprises and what issues arose. The book is therefore informed by the relationship between politics and society on the one hand and economic history on the other; as well as the efforts of governments in Australia to promote economic growth and the wealth of Australians. The main focus of the book is to identify and analyse the following two main questions: (i) What were the main drivers and motivations for governments establishing government-owned business in the network utilities sector? (ii) To what degree were these government-owned businesses successful at achieving the aims of these governments? In doing so the inherent characteristics of these industries areidentified, in terms of their need for rights of way, network effects, the monopoly characteristics, and the potential for stimulating growth.

Malcolm Abbott is an economist by profession who specialises in research in energy markets, water supply, transport, and network industries in general. In the past he has worked for the ACCC, KPMG, as a Ministerial Advisor, and as an Associate Professor of Economics at the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne.