House Standing Committee on Economics

Committee activities (inquiries and reports)

Inquiry into raising the level of productivity growth in the Australian Economy

Terms of Reference

Increased economic productivity has been responsible for much of the improvement in Australia's living standards over the last 25 years. However, Australia's productivity has declined since the 1990's. 

The factors responsible for Australia's current lower rate of productivity growth should be examined, with the objective of identifying key 'levers' which will assist in returning the Australian economy to a trajectory of robust growth in productivity.

The Committee will inquire into, and report on, the key factors influencing Australia's productivity growth rate, focusing on, but not limited to:

a) trends in Australia’s productivity growth rate during the past 20 years and reasons for the recent trending decline

b) trends in productivity growth rates against other OECD countries;

c) the adequacy of productivity growth measures;

d) the contribution made by microeconomic reform to the permanent improvement in the growth rate of productivity and the continuing effectiveness of the microeconomic reform agenda;

e) the willingness and ability of small and medium enterprise to adopt best practice technology;

f) the adequacy of the level of investment in physical capital;

g) the adequacy of the level of investment in public infrastructure;

h) the level of resources devoted to research and development;

i) the adequacy of resources devoted to training and development of the labour force; and

j) the key reforms and measures that can be undertaken to lift Australia’s permanent rate of productivity growth.

In conducting the inquiry the committee should focus on how relevant factors contribute generally to the productivity growth rate. The committee should not undertake detailed assessments of individual industry sectors or specific industry assistance measures.

Comments to: Committee Secretary on PH: 02 6277 4587 or FAX: 02 6277 4774
or e-mail: economics.reps@aph.gov.au

Last reviewed 25 June 2009 by Committee Secretariat
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