Exports of Government Services

Industry Commission Study

This study concluded with the completion of the report, Exports of Government Services, which was released on 8 January 1998.

About the Study

The Industry Commission carried out a study into the export of government services, covering Commonwealth, State and Territory governments. The study assessed existing activity by government departments, agencies and business enterprises and the potential to develop government services as a commercially viable export industry.

In undertaking the study, the Commission specifically reported on:

• the emerging trends in global markets for the export of government services, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region; the international marketing environment including impediments to trade, and the effectiveness of government efforts to improve market access;
• the structure and competitiveness of the Commonwealth Government in terms of its own ability to develop government services as an export industry and in terms of its coordination of export activities with State and Territory governments;
• the scope for government to more actively engage in export activities, having regard to the nature of their systems which must be based within the policy framework of professionalism and accountability, and while continuing their core domestic activities;
• the scope for government to work in partnership with the private sector in pursuing export activities; and
• any measures which could be undertaken to facilitate the export of government services, implementation strategies for any suggested measures and the effect on government, industry, consumers and the economy in general of any suggested measures.