Can the PM’s productivity roundtable solve Labor’s productivity disaster?

The Coalition notes Labor’s announcement of a productivity roundtable.

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After three long years, it seems the government has finally discovered their productivity disaster. 

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Labor’s solution is to have a Canberra talkfest alongside a slew of new reports commissioned through the Productivity Commission.

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The Treasurer says he wants productivity. He even says he now believes in deregulation. 

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Well so far the cupboard is worse than bare, it is chocked full of Labor’s red tape.  

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Productivity is flat in Australia. It is particularly flat in the non-market sector.

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Indeed, ABS data shows Australia’s 20 year average productivity growth is now at its lowest point in two decades. In last week’s national accounts, productivity dropped again.

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Anthony Albanese has actively sought to undermine productivity by abolishing structures to drive it - such as the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

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He also saddled the economy with thousands of new regulations in the last Parliament. 

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If this change of heart by Labor is true, it will be akin to turning around the Titanic. 

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In addition to improvements in productivity data published by the ABS, we will measure the success of this idea on: 

• The volume of regulation removed on a net basis  
• The adoption of policies to promote private investment 
• And an end to the war on small business     

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We are open to being constructive. We also expect the government to be open to ideas from industry and other experts in areas from industrial relations, energy, taxation, regulation and red tape. 

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