The Australian Government’s 2026–27 review of the Safeguard Mechanism shapes as a key inflection point for Australia’s climate policy architecture, with material implications for carbon market development, decarbonisation investment incentives, and price formation in the post-2030 period.
While the formal review process will not commence until mid-2026, in practice, it is already underway, with early positioning from advocacy groups beginning to shape the debate as stakeholders seek to influence the scope, ambition and design of the Safeguard Mechanism beyond 2030.
Despite this, experience suggests that it is often the less visible, “quiet changes”, that have disproportionate effects on long-term market outcomes.
In this CEO Briefing, RepuTex CEO and Managing Director, Hugh Grossman, shares his perspective on the 2026-27 review process and likely direction. Drawing on RepuTex’s involvement in the design of the 2022–23 Safeguard reforms, the session examines the review’s historical context, and the key policy settings – both structural and more incremental – that warrant close attention as the review unfolds.
This session forms part of RepuTex’s ongoing Macro View series, presented by our senior leadership team, which provides unique insights into the key structural developments we expect to shape Australia’s future carbon and energy policy landscape.
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