Transparency in Trade Policymaking: Lessons for South Africa from Australia’s Experiences

The policy brief examines how Australia transitioned from a highly protected economy to a productive one starting in 1983 by using transparency to build public support for trade reform. It highlights the role of the Productivity Commission in providing evidence-based reports and the importance of adjustment assistance for affected sectors. The author recommends that South Africa establish a similar independent body of experts and engage the media to foster a consensus for trade liberalisation.

• Transparency in trade policy is essential for explaining the necessity of reform, convincing the public to accept changes through credible cost-benefit estimates, and building a coalition for change.
• Australia successfully liberalised its economy under the Hawke government, elected in 1983, by ensuring the public had access to all information regarding trade reform and utilizing an intellectual base that produced independent, evidence-based reports on the costs of protectionism.
• The Australian Productivity Commission and its predecessor, the Tariff Board, played a critical role by publishing the costs of protection, which helped the public understand that protectionism was lowering living standards.
• To mitigate the short-term adverse impacts of trade liberalisation, particularly in protected manufacturing sectors like textiles, clothing, and autos, Australia provided adjustment assistance focused on retraining and social welfare provisions.
• The author recommends that South Africa establish a Productivity Commission or commission independent expert reports to determine the benefits of trade reform and make these findings public to garner support.
• Media freedom and proactive engagement by the media are identified as key channels for communicating evidence-based policy changes between the government and the public.

APA

Bowen, B. (2010). Transparency in Trade Policymaking: Lessons for South Africa from Australia’s Experiences. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Policy-Briefing-23.pdf

Chicago

Bowen, Bill. Transparency in Trade Policymaking: Lessons for South Africa from Australia’s Experiences. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2010. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Policy-Briefing-23.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bowen |first1=Bill |title=Transparency in Trade Policymaking: Lessons for South Africa from Australia’s Experiences |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=23 August 2010 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Policy-Briefing-23.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bowen2010transparency, author = {Bowen, Bill}, title = {{Transparency in Trade Policymaking: Lessons for South Africa from Australia’s Experiences}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2010}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Policy-Briefing-23.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }