Mutuals’ business model highlighted in Harper Review

31 March 2015

Following the publication of the Final Review into competition policy today, the panel has recognised the potential for Public Service Mutuals to play a greater role in meeting individual and community needs, possibly in conjunction with other significant government initiatives. The Report, which is the first review of competition policy in Australia for over twenty years, highlights the work mutuals already do in working with communities to deliver human services.

The BCCM’s White Paper, Public Service Mutuals: A Third Way for Delivering Public Services in Australia along with the Australian Public Service Mutual Task Force are specifically mentioned in the Report (page 247).

Chief Executive of the BCCM, Melina Morrison in welcoming the Report’s findings stated:

“As businesses owned by or on behalf of members rather than shareholders, PSMs address many of the concerns raised about a race to the bottom on price and quality that might occur in markets dominated by for-profit bidders. They deserve a greater focus of government attention given the benefits they offer to communities, individuals and taxpayers”.