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Australian Productivity CommissionThe Productivity Commission
(PC) is the Australian Government's principal review and advisory body on
microeconomic policy and regulation. It conducts public inquiries and research
into a broad range of economic and social issues affecting the welfare of
Australians, including: competition policy, productivity, the environment,
economic infrastructure, labour markets, trade and assistance, structural
adjustment and microeconomic reform. As part of its research
function, the Productivity Commission monitors Australia's productivity trends
and investigates the determinants of productivity growth and its implications
for Australian living standards. A number of the Commission's inquiries also
investigate productivity performance and productivity issues; and make policy
recommendations to Australian governments that can enhance the productivity
performance of industries and the economy generally Under the direction of the
Chairman, the Commission's work is undertaken by Inquiry and Research
branches, supported by Corporate
Services Branch, as set out in the organisation structure. As well the Commission includes the Commonwealth Competitive Neutrality Complaints Office
and the Office of Regulation Review. The Commission has six
inquiry branches. Commission inquiries can vary greatly in issue and scope. An
'inquiry' is initiated when a 'reference' is sent by the Treasurer to the
Commission. The terms of reference describe what the inquiry will cover.
References may cover any sector of the economy. The subject matter generally
involves key economic and social issues, including important industry,
environmental and regional policy issues. The Government can request the
Commission to review and evaluate any government programs that it considers
require scrutiny The Commission is headed by
a Chairperson and between 4 and 11 other Commissioners, who are appointed by the
Governor-General for periods up to five years. Associate Commissioners can be
appointed by the Treasurer on a full or part-time basis. Commission staff are
Commonwealth public servants. Information obtained fro the Productivity Commission's website www.pc.gov.au. |
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