Australia is one of the most regulated socio-economic environments on the planet, making it also one of the most persistent battle-grounds between business and governments in trying to reduce the regulatory constraints on business performance. Although some of the regulatory constraints are introduced with the view of positively influencing business risk management practices, the number of regulatory actors and related pressures on business is increasing requiring ever more structural adjustment by affected businesses and sectors.

While much of research in the field has focused on determining what kind of effect regulation has had on business and how regulatory pressures could be eased in favour of 'market forces', not enough has been done to examine the idea that regulation and related adjustments may present businesses with new opportunities. We propose that this forum should address some of those issues.

• Is there a different way to approach the issue of business regulation?
• Could business look at new commercial opportunities created by regulation?
• What are these opportunities?
• Who is best placed to identify these opportunities and take advantage of them?
• Can regulation be leveraged to encourage improvements in education, and/or to facilitate a more innovative, informed and productive society?