In this month’s Institute of Regulation podcast, Marcial Boo, Chair of the Institute of Regulation, speaks to Australian winners of awards for good regulation: Gerard Brody from the Essential Services Commission in Victoria and Atul Sharma from the Australian Environmental Protection Agency. Rebecca Billings, Chair of the National Regulators Community of Practice (NRCoP), introduces the awards and explains how NRCoP supports regulators across Australia and New Zealand in much the same way the IoR supports the regulatory profession in the UK. Gerard discusses how his regulator secured better energy deals for consumers through clear purpose, proactive engagement, and targeted enforcement. Atul explains how data‑driven approaches helped reduce illegal waste dumping through collaboration and practical guidance for businesses. The speakers highlight the importance of communication, stewardship, and designing regulatory systems that respond to real‑world harms. Looking ahead, they emphasise the need for agility, long‑term thinking, and learning across jurisdictions to support growth and share effective practice.

Keywords: regulatory excellence, consumer protection, data‑driven regulation, compliance and enforcement, regulatory stewardship