Treasurer gives public servants a new, productivity-boosting task

In a speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday, June 18, Dr Jim Chalmers provided further details of the productivity roundtable, to be hosted by the Treasurer and opened by the Prime Minister in August.

The exclusive event, with only about 25 invitations expected to go out, will form the basis of the government's reform agenda in its second term. Dr Chalmers has indicated that only proposals where there was consensus would be taken up.

"We are looking for ideas and we are looking for consensus," Dr Chalmers said.

"We will consider any good ideas that we can afford and where there's enough consensus about the way forward."

In the lead up to the event, to be held at Parliament House from August 19 to 21, Dr Chalmers said the public service will be tasked to develop new ideas that feed into the roundtable.

"I'll write to regulators across government seeking specific, measurable actions to reduce compliance costs without compromising standards," Dr Chalmers said.

"Cabinet ministers also agreed to come back to me with ideas to improve productivity in their portfolios before the roundtable and also to host their own consultations."

Already, Labor has highlighted reforms to regulation as a way to achieve the government's targets.

Housing Minister Clare O'Neil singled out regulation in the housing industry as a barrier to the ambitious supply targets set by the government in some of her first comments since the election.

Environment Minister Murray Watt, charged with overseeing contentious reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, has also signalled an intention to tinker with regulations to streamline approvals, and remove duplication with state and territory laws.

Meanwhile, regulatory agencies have been under the spotlight for failing to meet standards, including a recent Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit report, which identified "consistent shortcomings" in regulatory agencies, including Home Affairs re-registering migration agents suspected of criminal behaviour.

The Australian National Audit Office also found the statements setting out the expectations and intent of regulators were not up to standard, limiting the visibility of ministers as to whether agencies under their oversight were meeting expectations.

During the address, Dr Chalmers also paid tribute to outgoing Treasury secretary Dr Steven Kennedy who Prime Minister Anthony Albanese picked to take on the top job in the public service. Dr Kennedy has been replaced at the top of Treasury by former Finance secretary Jenny Wilkinson. A replacement for Ms Wilkinson is yet to be announced.

"Steven's an influential fellow, and I've loved working with him, and I'm excited about working with Jenny [Wilkinson]," Dr Chalmers said.