Staff Profile
Rod Sims
Chair, The Superpower Institute
Rod Sims AO is Enterprise Professor at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Melbourne; Chair of the Superpower Institute; and Chair of Australia’s National Data Advisory Committee. He is also an Expert Adviser to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority on digital platform issues, and an Expert Adviser to the Commonwealth Treasury’s Competition Task Force.
From 2011-March 2022 he was Chair of The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Prior to that he had a range of senior corporate positions, including on Boards based in Australia, the UK and Singapore, and he advised many major Australian companies on corporate strategy issues. He has also worked in the Australian Public Service including as the Deputy Secretary in charge of all domestic policy in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. From 1988- 1990 he was the Principal Economic Adviser to Australia’s Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
News & Media
Who is winning the green policy race?
Australia is spectacularly well placed to be a green energy superpower, while our trading partners are not. We need to understand the size of the prize if we get our policies right.
As regular Australians struggle, gas companies are making massive profits and paying minimal tax. It is perverse
Watch—Sky news: Australia has ‘tremendous opportunity’ for emissions reductions
Nuclear once may have made economic sense for Australia. Now it doesn’t.
We should capitalise on the resources we’ve been blessed with – cheap and abundant sun and wind.
Listen—Seizing the economic opportunities of a post-carbon world
Australia as a green superpower is more than just a slogan
Pricing pollution unlocks investment in the energy transition
A bankable transition requires bankable policy – and that means a price on carbon.
Albo’s visit to China shows green iron is our next boom
Green energy is a bigger opportunity for Australia than the resources boom. Let’s not waste it
The logic is simple. Australia has world class wind and solar resources, and an abundance of minerals and land needed in the transition to renewables
Watch—Close of Business: Why Australia needs a carbon price
Renewables vs. nuclear: the facts point to one clear winner
Funding Australia's path to net zero emissions: Budget implications for climate solutions
How the Federal Budget supports Australia’s path to net zero and the Future Made in Australia vision
Why east coast energy woes won’t hurt green industry plans
Former ACCC boss calls for independent review of National Electricity Market
Polluter Pays—Rod Sims in conversation with Dr Monique Ryan MP
The Whyalla steelworks might be the best place in the world to make low-cost green iron. Will Labor seize the moment?
South Australia’s economy will be a huge beneficiary from the transition to net zero emissions
By harnessing its abundant resources, South Australia is poised to lead in creating sustainable jobs and long-term economic growth.
Labor can now seize the opportunity to focus on productivity
National Press Club Address—Realising Australia’s economic and climate opportunities
A sure way to keep our nation driving: make polluters pay
Decarbonisation can be a huge opportunity for Australia, but only if sound economics wins the day
The world’s inevitable move to decarbonisation should be a significant opportunity, but there are forces that could prevent this.
Rapid Response Briefing: Data centres and Australia’s energy transition
Emitters should pay the price of energy transition; not consumers
Watch—7.30: Steel town Whyalla left in limbo
Climate myths, and a real opportunity for Australia
Net zero isn’t a burden – it’s Australia’s next great economic opportunity, if we choose to lead.
Now is the time for a price on carbon
Webinar—The Politics of the Impossible
‘Polluter pays’ is the way for thriving Australian industries
Listen—Can Australia become a zero carbon super power?
Australia’s time has come to be a green energy-intensive export superpower
Maximising Australia’s prosperity while maximising our contribution to world emission emission reduction
Australia’s path to becoming a green export superpower hinges on aligning climate action with economic growth.
Watch—Sky news: Calls for ‘iron metal’ to be made locally
Don’t be gaslit on climate. There’s no going back on this energy transition
Climate risk management: Navigating the transition to clean energy
Sound economics and strategic policies can turn Australia into a global green export superpower.
Roundtable—'Let's Tax Carbon: and Other Ideas for a Better Australia'
Watch—The Business: Calls for Australia to lead the world in green iron exports
Australia should become the world’s dominant green shipping fuel provider
There’s more to high cost of energy than the green transition
Listen—Australia’s Green Iron Plan
The necessity for polluter pays
Putting a price on pollution is essential for effective, fair and affordable climate action.
Listen—Methane leak kept from public
Let’s improve the fossil fuels debate
Cut emissions 70% by 2035? There’s only one policy that can get us there
An open economy prioritises the climate and so prosperity
A ‘Future Made in Australia’ promises not only domestic decarbonisation but also the potential to significantly reduce global emissions.