Key Areas
Infrastructure, Transport and Land Use Economics
Efficient infrastructure is important for good outcomes for any economy. The CIE has provided expert advice on infrastructure issues for over 30 years. Our work has included advice on infrastructure investment decisions, regulation and pricing using techniques such as cost benefit analysis and economic modelling.
KEY CONTACT
Phil Manners Principal
Health, Education and Social Services
Health and human services economics has been a key focus for the CIE for the past decade, and preparing evidentiary material for improved health and welfare is now a central component of the work that we undertake.
Our primary fields of work include health and human services economic research and analysis, health economics evaluation, economic modelling of health and human services, policies and programs, undertaking core human services economics and regulatory review tasks, data collection and statistical econometric analysis and qualitative analysis.
KEY CONTACT
Sarina Lacey Principal, Health Economics and Social Services
Pricing and Economic Regulation
Economic regulation is required in instances to manage risks in markets with limited competition so as to improve outcomes for the community. The CIE has provided expert advice on infrastructure issues for over 30 years. Our work has included advice on infrastructure investment decisions, regulation and pricing using techniques such as cost benefit analysis and economic modelling.
KEY CONTACT
Phil Manners Principal
Agriculture
Our agriculture experts have provided analytical support to guide major government and industry decisions for over 30 years. Our work has ranged from mapping industry strategic plans to analysing world and domestic events for the implications for Australian agriculture commodities.
KEY CONTACT
Derek Quirke
Chief Economist, Agriculture and Trade
Climate Change and Adaptation
The CIE commenced its climate change program in 1992 following the famous Rio Earth Summit, and since then we have continued to provide comprehensive advice and analysis to a very wide variety of clients: government, business and international agencies. We have actively engaged in four iterations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Reports, and have been involved in literally dozens of Australian Government inquiries, policy development and analysis.
KEY CONTACT
David Pearce Executive Director | Principal
Urban and Rural Water
When is it worthwhile to invest in new water supply? Is it better to invest in desalination, water recycling, dams or fixing leakage? What standards should we place on the number of water supply interruptions and sewage overflows? How much water will households and businesses use in the future? At what level should water prices be set?
The CIE have answered these questions and many others for clients from across Australia. Often this work has involved the use of economic cost-benefit analysis to weigh up competing investment or policy options. We pride ourselves on working closely with stakeholders, including hydrologists and engineers, to understand all of the customer experience, environmental and cost impacts of each option.
KEY CONTACTS
Nigel Rajaratnam Managing Director | Principal
Ben McNair Principal
Natural Resources and Environment
The CIE has tackled a variety of environmental issues by delivering economic analyses that enhance the level of understanding among stakeholders about the nature, timing and magnitude of costs and benefits of actions to preserve the environment or actions that may ultimately harm it.
KEY CONTACTS
Nigel Rajaratnam Managing Director | Principal
Laura Cassar
Associate Director
Research and Development
The CIE has been extensively involved in the research and development industry through work with the statutory and industry owned Rural Research and Development Corporations, CSIRO, ANSTO, and ACIAR to name a few.
KEY CONTACTS
David Pearce Executive Director | Principal
Sarina Lacey Principal, Health Economics and Social Services
Trade and Investment
The CIE were one of the earliest developers and users of large scale global trade models, and since our detailed analysis of Western Trade Blocs in 1990 we have continued to undertake analyses of international trading arrangements — including free trade agreements, regional trade agreements and other policy developments — all using comprehensive quantitative techniques.
KEY CONTACT
David Pearce Executive Director | Principal
Resource Recovery and Waste
The CIE combines advanced quantitative modelling expertise, years of consultations with market players and regulators, and deep knowledge of the sector. The CIE has developed an Australian waste and recycling model, which was used to estimate the economy-wide benefits of improved resource recovery and materials efficiency.
In recent years, we have been part of key emerging policy debates around container deposit schemes, waste exports, the kerbside recycling system, and new technologies to process hard-to-recycle materials.
KEY CONTACTS
Phil Manners Principal
Tingsong Jiang Principal