Socio-economic analysis of the MDB Plan: what’s next?

There’s been a lot of debate about the social, economic and environmental benefits and costs of the Basin Plan. Good economic analysis can help inform the case for additional water recovery, help policymakers understand the most effective and efficient means of achieving environmental outcomes, and aid assessment of distributional impacts. Good economics also has a role to play in optimising environmental outcomes.

I’m pleased to be joining the MDBA and a distinguished panel of economists at the AARES conference in Adelaide on Friday to discuss the future of socio-economic analysis in relation to the MDB Plan. My role is to discuss how the impacts of water recovery are transmitted through water markets. What do you think? What additional analysis is require? What are the gaps? What needs to be considered?

I’m interested in your thoughts. And come along if you are attending AARES or in Adelaide and interested.