Politics Now Cut the public service? Productivity commission says think again || Insiders: On Background
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Mar 21, 2025 
Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission, shares her expertise on enhancing Australian living standards and economic productivity. She discusses pressing issues like the recent decline in productivity and its effects on wages. Wood also critiques the potential cuts to the public service, questioning their economic justification. Additionally, she delves into the importance of technology and education in overcoming productivity challenges and explores innovative models like hybrid work environments.
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Productivity and Living Standards
- Productivity is how effectively a nation uses its resources to produce goods and services.
- It directly drives living standards over time, explaining the increase in Australian living standards since the 1950s.
Current Productivity Trend
- Australian productivity has declined recently, decreasing by 1.2% in the year to December 2024.
- The long-term trend is also concerning, with the lowest productivity growth in 60 years, impacting wage growth and living standards.
Boosting Productivity
- Focus on making Australia an attractive place to live, invest, and conduct business.
- Simplify housing regulations to increase construction and address both social and economic issues.