Benefits analysis under the FTAA

Publications and Insights
Written By Ross Holden

Prepared by Tim Denne, Resource Economics Ltd and Adolf Stroombergen, Infometrics and shared with RMLA for publication as part of RMLA Insights.

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RMLA Insights welcomes informed professional perspectives on issues affecting resource management practice. This article presents an alternative analytical view on how benefits may be assessed under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. It is published to support discussion and does not represent formal RMLA policy.

In this analysis, Tim Denne, Resource Economics Ltd and Adolf Stroombergen, Infometrics examine how “benefits” under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 might best be understood and assessed. The article focuses on the distinction between measuring economic activity and measuring benefits, and argues that assessing significant regional or national benefits under the FTAA requires careful attention to methodology. It explores the relative roles of cost-benefit analysis, economic impact analysis, and wider wellbeing-based approaches, and offers a considered perspective for practitioners working with FTAA applications.

This is a high-level summary only. Read the full paper here

Ross Holden
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