Schott, Gonski among appointments to Competition Taskforce Advisory Panel

The news: The Albanese government has announced the appointment of five more experts to its Competition Taskforce advisory panel, which is meeting for the first time today. The taskforce will advise on Australian policy settings and whether they are fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving economy.

The context: Former Sydney Water boss Kerry Schott will chair the panel, which will also include business leader David Gonski, economist John Asker, former King & Wood Mallesons competition law and regulatory group head Sharon Henrick and former UK Fair Trading Office chief John Fingleton. They join Rod Sims and Danielle Wood, whose appointments were announced previously.

What they said: "Greater competition is critical for lifting dynamism, productivity and wages growth, putting downward pressure on prices and delivering more choice for Australians dealing with cost‑of‑living pressures," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in a joint statement with assistant minister for competition, charities and Treasury Dr Andrew Leigh.