Productivity Commission – Full-Time Chair – Appointment (No. 1) 2023

Overview

The Productivity Commission – Full-Time Chair – Appointment (No. 1) 2023I, enacted in 2023, addresses the need for a full-time Chair of the Productivity Commission, an independent statutory agency established under the Productivity Commission Act 1998. This instrument was introduced to ensure that the Productivity Commission has strong leadership to effectively carry out its functions, including providing independent and evidence-based advice to government on ways to improve Australia’s long-term economic and social wellbeing. The appointment of Danielle Wood as the full-time Chair is intended to provide stability and continuity in the leadership of the Commission, enhancing its ability to deliver high-quality research and analysis. This notifiable instrument was made by the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, under the authority granted by subsection 24(1) of the Productivity Commission Act 1998. The policy objective of this appointment is to ensure that the Productivity Commission is well-positioned to contribute effectively to economic and social policy development in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Productivity Commission – Full-Time Chair – Appointment (No. 1) 2023 instrument, issued under the authority of the Productivity Commission Act 1998, appoints Danielle Wood as the full-time Chair of the Productivity Commission for a term of five years commencing on 13 November 2023. The Act applies to the appointment of the Chair of the Productivity Commission, an independent statutory body responsible for providing analysis and advice on a wide range of economic, social, and environmental issues to the Australian Government. The legislation applies to the person appointed to the position of Chair, ensuring that the individual meets the requirements and possesses the qualifications necessary for the role, as outlined in the Productivity Commission Act 1998. The instrument has a national reach as it pertains to a federal statutory body, and its application is not restricted by jurisdictional boundaries within Australia. The Act does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds directly within this particular instrument, but it is subject to the broader provisions and stipulations of the Productivity Commission Act 1998. Subordinate instruments may extend or further define the application of this appointment, providing additional guidelines or operational details as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Productivity Commission – Full-Time Chair – Appointment (No. 1) 2023I, issued under the authority of subsection 24(1) of the Productivity Commission Act 1998, appoints Danielle Wood as the full-time Chair of the Productivity Commission for a five-year term commencing on 13 November 2023. This notifiable instrument is signed by the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), the Governor-General, and dated 28 September 2023. The instrument is executed with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and the authority of Dr Jim Chalmers, the Treasurer. The key sections of this legislation mandate the appointment of a full-time Chair for the Productivity Commission, specifying the individual to be appointed (Danielle Wood) and the duration of the term (five years from 13 November 2023). The instrument also sets the effective date of the appointment as 28 September 2023, aligning with the administrative processes outlined in the Productivity Commission Act 1998. This Act imposes specific obligations on the appointed Chair, Danielle Wood, who is now responsible for leading the Productivity Commission in its statutory duties. These duties include conducting research, providing analysis, and offering advice to the government on economic, social, and environmental issues affecting Australia’s productivity. The Chair is expected to ensure that the Commission operates efficiently and adheres to the legislative framework established by the Productivity Commission Act 1998. The legislation does not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches of its provisions. However, any failure to comply with the statutory duties or responsibilities as outlined in the Productivity Commission Act 1998 may lead to broader administrative or legal repercussions, including potential disciplinary actions or removal from office if the Chair’s conduct is deemed unsatisfactory by the government or the Commission itself. The specific consequences would be governed by the broader provisions of the Productivity Commission Act 1998 and related administrative laws.