Danielle Wood’s delicate balancing act at the Productivity Commission
As she marks her first year as chair of the Productivity Commission, Wood is taking a more cautious approach to engaging in the growing productivity debate.
Danielle Wood has never shied away from sharing her opinions with journalists. As CEO of the Grattan Institute, she publicly supported cutting the capital gains tax discount, proposed taxing retirees’ superannuation earnings, and advocated for a discussion on inheritance levies.
Shortly after becoming Chair of the Productivity Commission in November 2023, she sparked a media firestorm by raising concerns about the economic risks of the government’s Future Made in Australia plan. This commentary was uncomfortable for the government, though there is no suggestion that Treasurer Jim Chalmers — who appointed her — or any other minister been critical of Wood for openly voicing her views.
Nonetheless, Wood has noticeably dialled back her off-the-cuff media comments since. In an interview with Capital Brief to mark her first year in the job, she explains that this shift is no accident.
“It has been somewhat of a challenge, to be honest,” Wood says, when asked about managing the increased media attention to her commentary.
