Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

National Competition Policy: The miracle of the free market

By Mark Christensen - posted Tuesday, 11 January 2005


But does the success of economic policy automatically make it the complete answer? What if it - like America - is better than the alternative, but still only mostly right? What cost, policy righteousness?

Pharmacy regulation is a case in point. The crusade for freedom says pharmacists must give up restrictions that effectively prevent supermarkets stocking non-prescription drugs. Cheaper medicine is surely a good thing. Yet, something deep down also tells us that sacrificing the local chemist may be damaging in a big picture sense.

Pharmacists want proof that further change will be positive. One would have thought this reasonable, given the way infrastructure is performing. Maybe some at the Pharmacy Guild have read Christian Wolmar’s book, Broken Rails, on what was lost during the rail reforms in the UK: “Under the former British Rail, operating managers attempted to do everything they could to minimise delays and keep the railway running. They did not need the threat of fines or the possible loss of their franchise in order to do so. Their job was to operate the railway and they took pride in that task, often going well beyond their immediate responsibility”.

Advertisement

The Commission struggles with such economic intelligence because it conflicts with its principles. Fair enough. Its hypocrisy, on the other hand, is less defensible.

How can one expect others to have faith in your philosophy - dump protective legislation, let the market work and all will be better than fine - while refusing to take on face value the foreboding of those expected to submit to your doctrine? The Commission places faith in theory over people because it is blind to the possibility that the concerns expressed by others can be anything but self-serving.

According to GK Chesterton, the champion of reform is always right about what is wrong, but also generally wrong about what is right. I hope the Commission tries a little harder with this distinction come final report time.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Mark is a social and political commentator, with a background in economics. He also has an abiding interest in philosophy and theology, and is trying to write a book on the nature of reality. He blogs here.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Mark Christensen
Related Links
Productivity Commission
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy