Productivity in Australia Select Committee

Wendy Askew

At the request of Senator Bragg, I move:

(1) That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia, be established to inquire into and report on:

(a) the history of productivity growth in Australia in both multifactor and labour terms;

(b) the current position and opportunities to gain productivity growth;

(c) conflicts of interest and structural barriers to sustainable growth;

(d) the efficacy of federal competition law;

(e) opportunities for the states and territories to drive growth;

(f) the impact of regulatory tax burdens on productivity growth;

(g) the impact and opportunity of technology;

(h) priority opportunities in the market and non-market sectors for productivity growth;

(i) Australia's competitiveness and benchmarking against similar nations; and

(j) any other related matters.

(2) That the committee present its final report by 23 July 2027.

(3) That the committee consist of 6 senators, as follows:

(a) two nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate;

(b) two nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate; and

(c) two nominated by minority party or independent senators.

(4) That:

(a) participating members may be appointed to the committee on the nomination of the Leader of the Government in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate or any minority party or independent senator;

(b) participating members may participate in hearings of evidence and deliberations of the committee, and have all the rights of members of the committee, but may not vote on any questions before the committee; and

(c) a participating member shall be taken to be a member of a committee for the purpose of forming a quorum of the committee if a majority of members of the committee is not present.

(5) That the committee may proceed to the dispatch of business notwithstanding that all members have not been duly nominated and appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy.

(6) That the committee elect as chair a member nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and, as deputy chair, a member nominated by Leader of the Government in the Senate.

(7) That the deputy chair shall act as chair when the chair is absent from a meeting of the committee, or the position of chair is temporarily vacant.

(8) That the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, may appoint another member of the committee to act as chair during the temporary absence of both the chair and deputy chair at a meeting of the committee.

(9) That, in the event of an equally divided vote, the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, have a casting vote.

(10) That the committee, notwithstanding any prorogation of the Parliament or dissolution of the House of Representatives, have power to send for and examine persons and documents, to move from place to place, to sit in public or in private and have leave to report from time to time its proceedings and the evidence taken and such interim recommendations as it may deem fit.

(11) That the committee be provided with all necessary staff, facilities and resources and be empowered to appoint persons with specialist knowledge for the purposes of the committee with the approval of the President.

(12) That the committee be empowered to print from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by it, and a daily Hansard be published of such proceedings as take place in public.

Malcolm Roberts

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted for one minute.

Malcolm Roberts

It's an unfortunate irony that an inquiry into productivity is asking for such an extended timeline to deliver findings—two years. One Nation would happily support an inquiry into productivity on a much shorter, more productive timeline—six months. We note that all inquiries are entitled to seek extensions of time from the Senate if needed, and this is common.

This government is murdering productivity, particularly with skyrocketing energy prices and regulations crippling productivity. With more to come, it makes productivity improvement urgent. Productivity determines standard of living, national prosperity and security, and can drive real wage growth. One Nation will oppose this motion, and we repeat through you, President, to Senator Bragg that we welcome him returning with a motion for an inquiry of six months duration.

Sue Lines

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 15 standing in the name of Senator Bragg and moved by Senator Askew be agreed to.