MRC Report: Competitive Tension

The value of contestable public services in a post-pandemic world

Published: October 2021

Authors: Dr Peta Seaton AM, Matt Crocker, Henry Ergas AO

Introduction: Nick Cater

The Covid-19 pandemic has inspired businesses and governments to find smarter ways to work together in the provision of government services. This report shows how the introduction of competitive tension in services as diverse as security, public transport and correctional services can lift productivity by an estimated 20-25 per cent.

Published in conjunction with the UK-based Serco Institute, “Competitive Tension” will be of vital interest to policy makers at all levels of government, businesses large and small, and all those who believe that governments have an obligation to serve citizens in the most efficient and effective way possible.