Productivity Commission chair appointed
Chris Barrett has been appointed as chair of the Productivity Commission by Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
He will replace Michael Brennan, who announced in May he will be stepping down after five years.
Barrett has previously worked as Australia’s ambassador to the OECD, executive director of the European Climate Foundation and chief of staff to former federal treasurer, Wayne Swan.
Currently, he is the deputy secretary of the economic division in the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance, a role he has held since January 2021.
This is the same role that was previously held by Brennan before he joined the Commonwealth Treasury as deputy secretary of the Fiscal Group.
Chalmers said the appointment followed “a rigorous process involving interviews with two departmental secretaries and the APS Commissioner”.
He said: “The Productivity Commission plays a key role in identifying the policy reforms that can drive economic growth, so a strong, effective and well-led PC will be vital to Australia’s progress into the future.
“We see the Productivity Commission as one of Australia’s core economic institutions and we want to find ways to strengthen it further.
“The government is committed to finding ways to broaden and deepen the commission’s work, exploring new avenues to fulfil its core mission of raising Australia’s productivity performance in a rapidly evolving global economy.
“We will now work with him on our PC reform agenda, which picks up the ideas and contributions gleaned from months of consultation on the best ways to renew, refocus and renovate this really important economic institution.”
He added the commission had delivered more than 20 reports to the government during Brennan’s leadership, including the 5-Year Productivity Inquiry which was released this March.
The five-yearly report contained several volumes including advancing prosperity, headwinds and challenges to Australia’s productivity, productive labour markets, managing the climate transition and diffusion of innovations.
Subject to approval by the Governor-General, Barrett will begin the role in September for a five-year term.
The Productivity Commission is an independent research and advisory body that investigates economic, social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of Australians.
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Laura Dew
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