Department

With the rapid growth and change in the energy and resources sector and Australia’s strong economic interests in this area, it is becoming increasingly critical to ensure quality evidence-based data, analysis and research in this sector, to support both strong policy and industry development.

To date these services have been provided to the RET portfolio and wider stakeholders through a service arrangement with the Australian Bureau of Agricultural & Resource Economics & Sciences (ABARES). In considering options and the decision to create BREE, RET has undertaken extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including industry, professional services organisations, the academic and research sector, and government at all levels (115 organisations in total). 

The new BREE unit within DRET portfolio will provide a range of immediate benefits:

• increased resources including the appointment of a dedicated Chief Economist to lead and develop the organisation
• an strengthened strategic focus through closer links with policy development
• increased stakeholder engagement through the introduction of an independent Advisory Board.

The plan to develop BREE has been undertaken in close partnership with ABARES. BREE will be initially established by transferring the current resources and energy economics branch out of ABARES. Additional staff will also be transferred from within RET and recruited directly, with an expected start-up staffing level of about 20.

BREE will have an extensive range of responsibilities, including the maintenance of the full existing suite of the ABARES publications and data series relating to the resource and energy sector. These publications form the cornerstone of insight and analysis used by many State and Commonwealth government agencies, as well as external commentators and participants in the Australian economy.  In addition, as is currently the case with ABARES, BREE will have a role as a professional services organisation, undertaking projects for external third-party clients and publishing in professional journals.

BREE and ABARES will maintain strong links and cooperation, sharing relevant experience, resources and staff development processes, especially during the first 12 months. This will include continued collaboration on relevant databases. To further ensure professional independence, BREE will also establish written research protocols which will extend on and further formalise many of the current practices undertaken by ABARES (as a research organisation operating within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry).

An international recruitment process is underway for the founding Chief Economist and Executive Director of BREE. Egon Zehnder are assisting the Department with the search.

Further updates will be provided on progress in establishment of the organisation, including the Chief Economist role and the Advisory Board.