The government’s independent economic adviser has only one active inquiry, which former officials say is extremely low by historical standards.
The Productivity Commission has had its workload reduced and is being underutilised by Treasurer Jim Chalmers in the midst of the worst productivity slump in 60 years.
Dr Chalmers did not meet in person with the Productivity Commission’s leaders about its major five-year productivity inquiry report,, which was handed to the government in February 2023 before Danielle Wood became chairwoman, sources said. Dr Chalmers has averaged 2.8 commission inquiries a year during his more than two years as treasurer, compared with five a year under Liberal predecessor Josh Frydenberg, who was treasurer for just under four years.who led the commission’s predecessor agency, the Industry Commission, from 1992 to 1998 under the Keating and Howard governments, said it must be fully utilised by the Albanese government to provide policy ideas to enhance the living standards of Australians.
Rod Sims, a former competition watchdog and adviser to Labor prime minister Bob Hawke, said the commission was a “national treasure”. An inquiry he commissioned into early childhood education and care was handed to the government on June 28. Sources say it often takes many months for treasurers to prioritise the commission’s inquiries and it generally involves back-and-forth negotiations between the commission and the government on the terms of reference.
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