Economic Fast Track Briefing - Differential regulated pricing

Differential Pricing: Is it ever okay to charge different customers different amounts for the same service?

Come and test this question against the principles of economic efficiency, fairness and regulatory governance, in a real-life example from the chronicles of Queensland’s competition authority.

Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) opened in 1983 as a common user coal export terminal, owned by the Queensland Government. In 2001, the service of handling coal at DBCT was declared a regulated entity, and the terminal was leased to DBCT Management (private company) for 50 years. 

As terminal capacity expanded, from 15 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 85 mtpa, and the average cost per tonne rose, how did the pricing structure change, and why?

If the terminal continues to grow, how will the cost of new infrastructure be split between new and existing customers? Come along and join us to find out.

There will be ample time for questions and discussion.  A light lunch will be served from 12.15pm. 

About the presenter Courtney Chester, Qld Competition Authority

Courtney became interested in economics shortly before graduating, once she realised her degree was actually just a tertiary qualification in common sense. Having achieved a Bachelor of Natural Resource Economics at UQ, she moved to Canberra to join ABARE, working in both its International and Agricultural Branches.

Upon returning to Brisbane, Courtney worked in the Queensland Government's greener agencies as an economic policy advisor, specialising in environmental offsets, carbon forestry and market mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Now, a modeller and senior analyst at the QCA, she enjoys disentangling regulatory pricing models to figure out what makes them tick, and crafting accessible explanations of the analysis that underpins the QCA's decisions.

There is no charge for the event, which is supported by the Queensland Competition Authority.  However, prior booking is essential.