Foundation for Effective Markets and Governance (FEMAG)

FEMAG, a not-for-profit body, was formed in 1999 to provide advice and assistance, especially in developing countries, on consumer and competition policy and regulation and on accountability of government. Markets and governments that are effective are both efficient and equitable. FEMAG works for responsiveness of public policy on markets and their regulation to consumers and for accountability of governments to citizens. It concerns itself especially with empowerment of citizens to make markets and governments work in their interests.

FEMAG members possess skills and experience in consumer and competition policy, regulation, governance and accountability, public policy and administration. FEMAG specialises in providing effective and targeted technical assistance in developing countries.

Membership includes well experienced, former senior officials; of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Federal Bureau of Consumer Affairs and Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman, senior officers of other government agencies, people who have served on a range of regulatory and policy advisory bodies, academics specialising in regulation and former leaders of consumer and other civil society organisations.

FEMAG and its members have worked with numerous and diverse funding partners including AusAID, UNDP, DFID, Commonwealth Secretariat, the World Bank and national research bodies.

FEMAG and its members have sucessfully completed assignments throughout the ASEAN region, Bangladesh, Egypt, Fiji, India, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Timor Leste and Tonga.

FEMAG members have also undertaken consumer, competition and governance projects in Australia with a high level of success. Recommendations from a review of oversight agencies and community advocacy were almost entirely implemented by the Government of the Australian Capital Territory. And a project to inform consumer organisations in Australia on the successes and failures of European energy policies was very highly rated in an independent evaluation by a respected consultancy.

FEMAG is affiliated with the Regulatory Institutions Network, in the School of Regulation, Justice and Diplomacy at the Australian National University, Canberra.

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