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 are identified, in terms of their need for rights of way, network effects, the monopoly characteristics, and the potential for stimulating growth. Contents About the Authors List of Figures List of Tables Part I Setting the Framework 1 Introduction Australian Economic Development and Its Utilities—An Introduction The Purpose and Structure of This Book References 2 Australian Economic Development and Network Utilities Introduction What Drives a Nation’s Economic Development? The Case of Australia Network Utilities Government Ownership of Network Utility Industries Conclusion References Part II The Construction of the New Infrastructure: The Nineteenth Century 3 Infrastructure Development: Industrialization, Institutions, Private Interests, and Public Capital Investment Introduction Industrialization, Institutions, and Private Interests Public Capital Investment Conclusion References 4 The Colonial Post Office Introduction Origins Conclusion References 5 Local Supply Networks: Water and Gas Introduction Water Supply and Sewerage Summary Gas Supply Summary Conclusion References 6 Railways: Emergence and Development Introduction The Origins of Railways in Australia Federation Performance Conclusion References Part III A New Nation and Its Networks: 1901 to 1945 7 Infrastructure Provision for a New Nation Introduction The Development of a New Nation Conclusion References 8 The Development of Telecommunications Introduction Federation The Inter-War years Conclusion References 9 Urban Amenities: Electricity, Gas, and Tramways Introduction Electricity An Era of Technological Change The Development of Government-Owned Electricity Utilities Across Australia Considering the Evolution of an Industry Gas Tramways Conclusion References 10 The Railways: Growth and Decline Introduction Tracking Change and the Beginnings of Decline Conclusion References Part IV The Post-war Era: 1945 to 1988 11 The Post-war World Introduction The 1950s and 1960s The 1970 and 1980s The Network Utilities Sector Conclusion References 12 Telecommunications: Extending the Network Introduction Pathway to Separation: 1950s and 1960s 1970s and 1980s: A Time of Reform Conclusion References 13 Urban Growth and Change Introduction Electricity Summary Gas Summary Water Supply and Sewerage Summary Conclusion References 14 Transport: A New Way Forward Introduction State Railways National Rail Conclusion References Part V Conclusion 15 Economic Policy, Service Delivery, and Productivity Introduction The Role and Nature of Network Utilities Considering the Government Dominance ofthe Network Utilities in Australia Economic Reform in the 1980s Performance of the Utilities in the 1980s Conclusion References Epilogue References Index