Reforms that strengthen under future outlook scenarios

A more rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic than anticipated in the Australian Government's 2021-2022 Budget Outlook is likely to require increased focus on supporting the adjustments in Australia's cities that were catalysed during the COVID-19 pandemic (see Table V.8).

This will require a greater accommodation of the rapid digitalisation of workplaces and working from home. Improvements in the recognition of the value of social infrastructure, the cost of transport infrastructure and the benefits of sustainable infrastructure should guide future investment.

Table V.8: Bounce back to rapid recovery reforms

A slower recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic than anticipated in the Australian Government's 2021-2022 Budget Outlook will require the efficient functioning of our supply chains and transport infrastructure. Both the efficient operation of existing transport networks and investment in enhancements to the network will have additional emphasis (see Table V.9).

Table V.9: Slow recovery from a sustained pandemic reforms

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a strengthening of regional growth as people extend existing connections with regional Australia or decide to call it home for the first time. If this growth outpaces the expectations of the Australian Government's 2021-2022 Budget Outlook the introduction of place-based planning strategies to support population and jobs growth will be critical (see Table V.10). Access to secure, quality water must be understood and supported, alongside improved transport connections to link to Fast-growing Cities.

Table V.10: Regionalised Australia reforms

The pace of digital and technological change is occurring increasingly rapidly, with increasing processing capability, big data, machine learning, automation and connectivity (see Table V.11).

Under this technology-led model, smart enablement by the telecommunications and digital sectors will be critical. These reforms will allow step changes in transport services for urban, regional and remote communities to be unlocked. The availability of better data and customer information in energy and waste sectors unlocks behaviour change.

Table V.11: Digital Australia reforms

An increasingly destablised world will place added importance on the need to enhance resilience and sustainability. All three sustainability and resilience reforms perform well under this scenario (see Table V.12). Increasing the resilience of the telecommunications sector, which has proven vital in both the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2019-2020 bushfire season will also be critical.

Finally, improving the independence of our waste system through a circular economy will enhance supply chain sovereignty and reduce exposure to foreign disruption.

Table V.12: Destabilised world reforms