CPRC has already worked on a variety of different markets including the rental market, energy, retirement villages and aged care home care packages. Research and policy work in 2020-21 on the impact of COVID-19 on the consumer experience has both taken a cross-sectoral approach and also focused on particular markets such as rental and particular groups of consumers such as CALD consumers and younger people. We foster a market stewardship approach to policymaking ensuring that sectoral regulators and policymakers take an active role in governing the operation of complex markets. Our research focuses on four stewardship priorities: accessible, functional and sustainable marketplaces; fair and inclusive products and services are designed; product and service design reflects real-world human decision-making; and consumers are given agency to make choices and those who cannot or do not want to engage are protected.

We are continuing to look at specific markets and how well they meet consumers’ needs, developing targeted solutions and drawing out economy-wide lessons where relevant. This work examines business behaviour and regulatory interventions, identifying and promoting best practice in business responsibility and regulatory design, and seeking to improve the regulatory toolkit.