Ep#137: Purposeful productivity with Danielle Wood
On today’s episode of Work with Purpose, Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission, reflects on how the Commission’s role has evolved—from her early days as a graduate to leading its national reform agenda.
As Australia faces slower growth and rising complexity, how can public policy adapt to deliver long-term productivity and social progress?
Danielle joins host David Pembroke, CEO of contentgroup, to discuss how the commission continues to provide rigorous, independent advice in the public interest while expanding its focus to the care economy, First Nations policy, and Closing the Gap. She also explores the challenges of lifting productivity in the service sector, the slower impact of new technologies, the importance of diversity in economic leadership, and how to deliver frank advice that drives long-term reform.
Key tips
- Embed Closing the Gap priorities into your policy and program design to help drive meaningful, long-term change
- Champion diversity in economics to ensure a broader range of perspectives and better policy outcomes
- Value independent advice as a cornerstone of good governance, even when it challenges the status quo.
guest
Danielle Wood
Danielle Wood commenced a 5-year term as Chair of the Productivity Commission on 13 November 2023. Prior to joining the Commission, she was CEO of the Grattan Institute and head of its Budgets and Government Program. During her time at Grattan, Danielle also held roles as member of the Australian Government’s Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, the Parliamentary Budget Office Expert Advisory Committee, the Jobs and Skills Australia Consultative Forum and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government Research Committee.
Danielle is an Honorary Fellow and former President of the Economic Society of Australia and a Research Fellow of the Women’s Leadership Institute. She was the co-founder and first Chair of the Women in Economics Network.