Abstract:

The cost of implementing the revisions to the Building Code of Australia and the net cost of implementing the draft Transport Standards were estimated in recent Regulatory Impact Statements at $3.4 and $3.7 Billion over 20 years respectively. i.e. total $7.1 Billion or $355 Million per year. These sums may appear to be large, but they cannot be interpreted as such without reference to aggregate benefits. While the Transport RIS attempted a narrow definition of benefits focussed on the extra patronage and consequent fares raised and on savings to some Government programs due to improved transport, the Building RIS made no attempt to measure the benefits of changes to the Building Code except through a vague qualitative survey of people with disabilities, the results of which defied logical interpretation.