More economists weigh in on Jim Chalmers' Productivity Commission remodelling
Top economists from CEDA, Goldman Sachs, the UNSW and AMP share their views on the government's remodelling of the reform focused institution.
A former Productivity Commissioner is backing the federal government’s remodelling of the research organisation, saying it will benefit from hiring diverse thinkers in addition to traditional economists and ensuring recommendations are pragmatic.
Melinda Cilento is the chief executive of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia and was a commissioner for the PC from 2014 to 2017. She tells Capital Brief that the new statement of expectations, released by Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers last week, is “very positive” despite concerns from some economists it undermines the independence of the institution.
“This is a lot about saying that we think the PC is an important institution, we want to maintain it, we want to make sure it’s heading in the right direction,” she says. “Some of those suggestions [in the media] that its independence is being eroded or undermined, I don’t agree with.”
One of the reasons she is particularly encouraged by the new approach is its focus on broadening the range of experience, skills and expertise of staff.
