'As we get richer and more comfortable, we can afford to pay for more peace of mind through regulations.' PC Chair Danielle Wood on the need to balance the impulse to regulate with policy-making rigour. Read for free: https://bit.ly/4g6Ig3A #AusEcon #Policy #Regulations

"On top of the ongoing discipline required to make sure reviewers aren’t simply adding to the problem, there is a question of whether the number of reviews themselves represent a form of regulatory burden." inflectionpoints.work/articles/the...

Op-ed | PC Commissioners Alison Roberts and Angela Jackson on why future generations need #governments to invest more in early #intervention and #prevention in #care services: https://bit.ly/4ekHNcO #AusEcon #Healthcare

Out now | Report on Government Services mid-year update shows median income for govt-funded VET graduates rose by $16,232 post training, employment rates increased 18.3% compared to pre-training. For new data on education, housing, police #services & more: https://bit.ly/44Wc7UM #Data #AusEcon

New case study | The latest case study on the Closing the Gap Health Infrastructure Program shows how governments can change their ways of working to embed partnership, co-design and shared decision-making within existing grant frameworks: https://bit.ly/4uJMi6z #NRW2026 #TransformGovernments

Indigenous Champion of the APS and Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department Katherine Jones PSM shares about ‘the privilege of her career’ in building the Champions network, cultural safety led by First Nations staff, and more: https://bit.ly/4flAgM0 Artwork by LaToya Kennedy

🏘️How do rules around housing limit the supply new homes? 🏗️What reforms should governments prioritise to get more homes built quickly? We want to hear from people, businesses, orgs and governments interested in or affected by regulations that affect the supply of new #housing: https://bit.ly/3PWrNEt

Help inform our research | We want to hear from individuals, businesses and business groups that have an interest in or experience with, starting, growing, restructuring, passing on or closing a business. Find out more and share your thoughts: https://bit.ly/4x1gb3W

The commitment govs have made under Priority Reform Three requires resetting systems, culture and decision-making. Many govt orgs are already transforming in this way: https://bit.ly/4uJMi6z Artwork by LaToya Kennedy (www.kalariart.com.au) #NRW2026 #PriorityReforms #CloseTheGap #TransformGovernment

New inquiry | The government has asked the PC to look into the rules and regulations impacting housing supply and recommend reforms to get more homes built more quickly. Regulation adds an estimated $135,000 to $320,000 to the cost of avg new house, and $40,000 to $175,000 to cost of avg new unit.

Drawing on examples of good practice, this guide provides practical advice for public servants to understand their capability to drive transformation: https://bit.ly/4uJMi6z Artwork by LaToya Kennedy (www.kalariart.com.au) #NRW2026 #PriorityReforms #CloseTheGap

In this chat with PC Chair Danielle Wood, former Australian Public Services Commissioner, Dr Gordon de Brouwer, shares his insights on transforming govt engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: https://bit.ly/3S1mRid Artwork by LaToya Kennedy (www.kalariart.com.au) #NRW2026

The PC welcomed Treasurer Jim Chalmers to our Melbourne office yesterday where he spoke to staff about how our work had helped inform the Productivity Package in the recent budget.

What are Priority Reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap? The Priority Reforms are tangible actions to reshape how governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities to develop and deliver policy.

In the Budget released earlier this week, the government committed to scaling back the Fringe Benefit Tax exemption for #EVs from next year. Read the PC's submission that supports phasing out the tax exemption in favour of more efficient ways to reduce emissions: https://bit.ly/4wmAvMR

Our submission to the review of mutual recognition schemes finds that they can help fill jobs faster and support a stronger economy, but that gaps, exemptions and uneven rules across jurisdictions can limit the benefits: https://bit.ly/4dhlumz #AusEcon

New inquiry | The Government has asked the PC to investigate regulatory barriers to #business dynamism and recommend reforms that increase #productivity, the entry of new firms and the growth of existing firms. Read the full terms of reference: https://bit.ly/4d5P4wI

Do you have policy and program experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities? We are looking for a Policy Analyst to join the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stream: https://bit.ly/4uAeloC Please share widely #JobAd

'The scale of transformation required within governments to consistently engage and partner with communities is significant, but the possible cost savings and community outcomes far outweigh the investment required.' Commissioners Angela Jackson and Selwyn Button: https://bit.ly/3Rg9z10 #CloseTheGap

As governments act to secure fuel supply, Commissioners Martin Stokie and Barry Sterland look at reforms that could get more heavy zero emissions vehicles on the road: https://bit.ly/3QHV2v3 Originally published in The Australian

To put a home in reach for more younger people, Australia needs more houses. But we now build half as many homes per hour worked as we did 30 yrs ago. Drawing on our recent research we show how increasing #housing construction #productivity could close the generational divide: https://bit.ly/4eoUmo2

Closing tomorrow | We are seeking feedback on draft recommendations in our interim report exploring the impact of heavy vehicle policy reform: https://bit.ly/3PXaVgL Read the report and make a comment or submission on our website by 5 May 2026 #RoadTransport #AusEcon

Watch | Professor David Vines, Emeritus Professor of Economics, and Emeritus Fellow of Balliol College, at Oxford University delivered this year's Richard Snape Lecture on 'Structural reform in Australia past and present: why the PC matters': https://bit.ly/4lGbt6s #AusEcon

PC Chair Danielle Wood was at the AFR Workforce summit this week discussing our recommendations for building a skilled and adaptable Australian workforce: https://bit.ly/4dcLTDf #Workforce #Skills #Jobs #Education #Schools #VET #Universities #AusEcon

Join the team | We are looking for a Senior Policy Analyst to join the PC’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stream which undertakes reporting, research and analysis that centres the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: https://bit.ly/4thtYQV #APSJobs

PC Chair Danielle Wood argues that a strong, competitive economy is the ultimate source of economic resilience: https://bit.ly/3QMNPJW Originally published in the Australian Financial Review

15 years from when the PC first recommended the creation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Commissioner Angela Jackson argues reform is once again necessary to preserve the program’s core purpose: https://bit.ly/4tzDtLY Originally published in The Australian. #NDIS #Disability #AusEcon

Closing this week | PC Graduate Program 2027: https://bit.ly/40fw6fE This is your chance to launch your career, build your policy skills and contribute to decisions that shape Australia’s future. Don’t miss out – submit your application to be considered for the 2027 intake now!

Open for feedback | Our interim report finds that increasing access to Australia’s road network for high-productivity heavy vehicles could raise GDP between $950 m - $4.0 b: https://bit.ly/3PXaVgL Share your feedback on draft recommendations on our website by 5 May 2026.

Closing tomorrow | The PC is assessing progress against the 2004 National Water Initiative (NWI) & working on recommendations on actions for parties to better achieve objectives and outcomes 💧Share your ideas/comments before submissions close Fri 24 Apr: https://bit.ly/4142q5Q

Our supplementary submission to the Senate Select Committee on Productivity in Australia focusses on the regulatory burden in #housing. Drawing on our recent work, we outline several priorities for reform to support productivity growth and housing supply: https://bit.ly/4bQ42WM

Closing tomorrow | The PC has been asked to conduct an inquiry into whether safeguard measures are warranted against imports of certain fabricated structural steel products. Read the call for submissions and contribute by Mon 20 April 2026: https://bit.ly/4tRZVQZ #AusEcon

Apply now | 2027 PC Graduate Program is accepting applications until 29 April 2026: https://bit.ly/40fw6fE Here 2025 graduate research economist Imogen Jameson shares her experience... #Graduate #Careers

New research | In 2017, the Australian Government introduced funding adjustments to help reduce the rate of hospital acquired complications (HACs). In this paper, the PC used data on admissions to public hospitals to establish whether this adjustment affected the rate of HACs: https://bit.ly/4tp4j9O

The PC is looking at the delivery of #WaterServices across 4 thematic areas: • Pricing & economic regulation • Governance & accountability • Regional, remote & equity considerations • National consistency and intergovernmental coordination Read more & contribute: https://bit.ly/4142q5Q #WaterReform

Do you rely on air travel to and from Alice Springs, or elsewhere in the NT? ✈️ Do you have feedback on the cost or reliability of flights? 💸 The PC is investigating #regional #airfares — and we want to hear from you. Join us at an upcoming community drop-in session and share your thoughts...

We are assessing progress of 2004 National Water Initiative, including responses to findings identified in 2024: 🔼Where has progress happened? ⏸️What are the barriers? ⏭️What reform priorities could improve outcomes? Read more and contribute: https://bit.ly/4142q5Q Closing Fri 24 April

Out now | Heavy vehicle transport plays an important role in the Australian economy, but productivity growth in the road freight sector has stalled for over a decade 🚚 Gov asked us to analyse & model the impacts of a heavy vehicle productivity reform package under the National Competition Policy.

We are planning on holding public hearings, online via MS Teams, in the w/of 11-15 May 2026 for the PC's inquiry into fabricated structural safeguards. Please register to appear as a witness or to observe: https://bit.ly/3Os4Wjs Registrations close on Fri 17 April

Apply now | Chair Danielle Wood invites you to explore how the PC is a great place to start your #career in thinking about Australia's economic, social and environmental challenges and opportunities: https://bit.ly/4dt0afN More on PC 2027 Graduate Program: https://bit.ly/40fw6fE #Graduate

As Australia's population gets older, and lifestyles and circumstances change, care services are likely to come under more pressure. We owe it to our future generations to set up the care sector to deliver high-quality services at a sustainable cost. (1/6)

Closing this week | Have you had your say on Australia's #regional air network? ✈️ We are looking into how governments can support a competitive, reliable and affordable regional #flight network. Share your thoughts & experiences in our survey: https://bit.ly/4tQvTxa #Airfares #travel

🦺 What are safeguard measures and when can they be applied? 🏭Have imports of the relevant #steel products increased? 🩹 Has Australia's steel #industry suffered serious injury, or face the threat of serious injury? More about the inquiry and how you can contribute: https://bit.ly/4tRZVQZ #AusEcon

✈️ How does the cost and quality of air travel affect your regional community? The PC is looking into what influences regional airfares, and how this affects people and businesses in regional communities. Share your experiences in this short survey: https://bit.ly/4tQvTxa #Flights #Regional #Travel

The 2027 PC Graduate Program is open for applications: https://bit.ly/40fw6fE Looking to kickstart your career finding solutions for Australia's pressing social, economic and environmental challenges? Apply now to join the team in 2027. Please share this post with your networks. #Graduate #Careers

Share your thoughts | The PC is assessing progress against the 2004 National Water Initiative (NWI), and working on recommendations on actions that parties to the NWI might take to better achieve the objectives and outcomes of the NWI. (1/3)

New inquiry | The Government has asked us to look into how govts and #water services can improve the security, resilience & sustainability of water services, and support productivity & affordability: https://bit.ly/4bCKW6I Subscribe to get email alerts on how you can contribute.

Out now | Labour productivity was flat in the December quarter and increased by 1.0% over the year to December 2025. While this is better news than this time last year, this year’s growth means we are back where we were two years ago. Read more: https://bit.ly/4maWTnP

Hear about measuring healthcare productivity in this keynote interview with @pc.gov.au's Catherine de Fontenay at the 2025 UNSW-ESCoE Conference: tinyurl.com/47vs54ze @kevinfoxecon.bsky.social

Do you rely on air travel to and from regional Tasmania? ✈️ Have feedback on cost or reliability of flights? 💸 The PC is investigating regional airfares — and we want to hear from you. Join us at community drop-in sessions next week and share your thoughts and feedback. No registrations required.