The Prodcast with Richard Aedy

Productivity Commission

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GOVERNMENT

The Prodcast is the official podcast of the Australian Productivity Commission - the Australian Government’s independent research and advisory body on economic, social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of all Australians. Each episode features PC Commissioners and researchers sharing key insights and analysis from our latest research. Head to pc.gov.au for more. Follow us on LinkedIn @productivity-commission

13/08/2025

Delivering quality care more efficiently | Inside the interim report

PC Commissioner Alison Roberts tells Richard about the importance of care in our lives and the challenges with enhancing productivity in the care economy. The Australian Productivity Commission (the PC), in its interim report 'Delivering quality care more efficiently', highlights that the care sector must be able to respond to our increasingly complex and overlapping care needs in a sustainable way. Alison and Richard discuss the report's draft recommendations to increase the connections across the care economy, improving quality for consumers and helping Australia provide high-quality care more efficiently. Episode notes Read the interim report: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/quality-care/interimBuilding a skilled and adaptable workforce: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/adaptable-workforce/interimHarnessing data and digital technology: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/data-digital/interimInvesting in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/net-zero/interimCreating a more dynamic and resilient economy: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/resilient-economy/interimGrowth mindset: how to boost Australia's productivity: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/five-productivity-inquiries

15 min
12/08/2025

Building a skilled and adaptable Australian workforce | Inside the interim report

In this episode, Commissioner Catherine de Fontenay and Richard discuss the focus of the PC's interim report - strengthening the adaptability of Australia’s workforce. They explore the draft recommendations from the report 'Building a skilled and adaptable workforce' for building better foundational skills for school students; making it easier for people to go back to formal training; better resourcing work-based training for small business employees, and policy reform for better occupational entry rules. Episode Notes Read the interim report: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/adaptable-workforce/interimHarnessing data and digital technology: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/data-digital/interimInvesting in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/net-zero/interimCreating a more dynamic and resilient economy: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/resilient-economy/interimGrowth mindset: how to boost Australia's productivity: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/five-productivity-inquiries

14 min
05/08/2025

Harnessing data and digital technology | Inside the interim report

Richard Aedy is joined by Commissioners Stephen King and Julie Abramson to talk about potential productivity gains from unlocking the benefits of data and digital technology. They breakdown the proposed reforms in the PC's interim report Harnessing data and digital technology. The third of five pillars of productivity inquiries, the interim report recommends a growth-focused approach to regulating AI, new pathways to give people access to the data about themselves, and a shift to default digital financial reporting. Episode notes Harnessing data and digital technology: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/data-digital/interimInvesting in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/net-zero/interimCreating a more dynamic and resilient economy: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/resilient-economy/interimGrowth mindset: how to boost Australia's productivity: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/five-productivity-inquiries

17 min
03/08/2025

Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation | Inside the interim report

Commissioner Barry Sterland talks with Richard Aedy about the recommendations in the PC's interim report Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation and how more consistent emissions incentives, faster approvals and a focus on adaptation can drive the net zero transformation and support productivity. Episode notes Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/net-zero/interimCreating a more dynamic and resilient economy: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/resilient-economy/interimGrowth mindset: how to boost Australia's productivity: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/five-productivity-inquiries

16 min
01/08/2025

Creating a more dynamic and resilient economy | Interim report

Deputy Chair of the PC Alex Robson talks sits down with Richard Aedy to discuss proposed reforms in our interim report on creating a more dynamic and resilient economy. This is the first of the five pillars of productivity inquiries given to the PC by the Government, presenting practical, impactful reforms to get Australia back on the path to growth. Episode notes Read the interim report: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/resilient-economy/interim Overview of 5 pillars of productivity inquiries: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/five-productivity-inquiries

11 min
24/07/2025

Growth mindset: how to boost Australia’s productivity

In this episode Richard Aedy sits down with PC Chair Danielle Wood to talk about why Australia's productivity has been in the doldrums and why it's important to turn it around. They also discuss some of the PC's proposed reforms for boosting productivity ahead of the release of our interim inquiry reports on the Australian Government's ‘five pillars’ of productivity policy. Episode notes Growth mindset: how to boost Australia’s productivity: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/five-productivity-inquiries

14 min
08/07/2025

How should Australia respond to US tariffs?

Proposed US tariff hikes have sent shockwaves through the global economy. So how will they affect Australia? In the latest episode of The Prodcast, PC Deputy Chair Alex Robson talks through modelling in our latest annual report - Trade and Assistance Review (TAR) - that shows what the tariffs could do to Australia’s economy and how we should respond. They also discuss Australia's 'nuisance tariffs' and the role of industry policy in the Australian economy. Episode notes Trade and Assistance Review: https://www.pc.gov.au/ongoing/trade-assistance

12 min
25/06/2025

Inside our interim report: Review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement

Governments need to work together to improve outcomes for people using mental health and suicide prevention services. That's the purpose of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement that Commonwealth, state and territory governments signed up to in 2022. But the interim report of the PC's review of the Agreement has found it is not fit for purpose and the next agreement should take a new approach. In this episode, Richard speaks with PC Commissioner Selwyn Button about what the PC's review has uncovered so far and what the road ahead looks like for Australia's mental health and suicide prevention services. If this content raises issues for you, help is available: Lifeline Australia 13 11 14Suicide Call Back 1300 659 46713 YARN 13 92 76Kids Help Line 1800 551 800BeyondBlue 1300 224 636eHeadspace 1800 650 890Carer Gateway 1800 422 737The PC is not in a position to provide advice or make recommendations on individual circumstances. Our focus is on the broad issues raised in response to the inquiry terms of reference. If you need specific help or advice, please contact one of the services above. Episode notes Interim report: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement Review - Public inquiry - Productivity CommissionNext episode: Trade and Assistance Review - https://www.pc.gov.au/ongoing/tar

14 min
17/06/2025

Inside the Productivity Commission

You might have heard about the Productivity Commission but what does it do? Richard Aedy speaks with PC Chair Danielle Wood about the work of the PC and how it helps inform government policy. They also discuss the importance of productivity and what Australia can do to get it moving again. Episode notes What does the PC do? Inquiries: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiriesSelf-initiated research: https://www.pc.gov.au/researchOngoing performance reporting and benchmarking: https://www.pc.gov.au/ongoingCompetitive neutrality complaints: https://www.pc.gov.au/about/core-functions/competitive-neutrality Completed research Housing construction productivity: https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/housing-construction2025 Report on Government Services: https://www.pc.gov.au/ongoing/report-on-government-servicesClosing the Gap Information Repository: https://www.pc.gov.au/closing-the-gap-dataCompetitive neutrality investigation report - Australia Post: https://www.pc.gov.au/competitive-neutrality/investigations/australia-postAdvances in measuring healthcare productivity: https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/measuring-healthcare-productivity Coming soon Review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/mental-health-review#interimPillars of Productivity GrowthCreating a dynamic and resilient economy: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/resilient-economy#interimBuilding a skilled and adaptable workforce: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/adaptable-workforce#interimHarnessing data and digital technology: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/data-digital#interimDelivering quality care more efficiently: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/quality-care#interimInvesting in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/net-zero#interimOpportunities in the circular economy: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/circular-economy#report

16 min

9 Episodes

4.6

out of 5

5 Ratings

The Prodcast is the official podcast of the Australian Productivity Commission - the Australian Government’s independent research and advisory body on economic, social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of all Australians. Each episode features PC Commissioners and researchers sharing key insights and analysis from our latest research. Head to pc.gov.au for more. Follow us on LinkedIn @productivity-commission

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Productivity Commission
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The Prodcast with Richard Aedy