The Economics Society of Australia - Victoria Branch and the Women in Economics Network (WEN) warmly invite you to attend an event on Thursday 28 May.

Growth Mindset: Meeting Australia's Productivity Challenge

Productivity growth ensures future generations can live better and more prosperous lives than those that came before them. But Australia's productivity growth has stalled since 2016.

Productivity policy in the 21st century is a game of inches — no single policy reform can bring productivity growth back to its long-term average. Governments will have to make a lot of pro-productivity decisions across every portfolio.

Productivity Commission Chair Danielle Wood and colleagues from the Productivity Commission will discuss recommendations to get productivity moving again, across the five pillars of productivity:

1. Creating a more dynamic and resilient economy
2. Building a skilled and adaptable workforce
3. Harnessing data and digital technologies
4. Delivering quality care more efficiently
5. Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation

Registration will close at 5pm on Friday 22 May, unless booked out prior.  Tickets are limited, so early registration is essential.

Event Details

Date: Thursday 28 May 2026
Cost: Members $25, non-members $35 (click here to join)
Inclusions: Lunch
Venue: Deloitte Access Economics, 477 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 - Level 31

Agenda

11:30am-12:00pm: Welcome and networking (sandwiches available on arrival)
12:00pm-1:00pm: Presentation and Q&A with Danielle Wood and colleagues
1:00pm-1:30pm: Networking and close

About the Speakers

Danielle Wood commenced a 5-year term as Chair of the Productivity Commission on 13 November 2023. Prior to joining the Commission, she was CEO of the Grattan Institute and Head of its Budgets and Government Program.

During her time at Grattan, Danielle held roles as member of the Australian Government's Women's Economic Equality Taskforce, the Parliamentary Budget Office Expert Advisory Committee, the Jobs and Skills Australia Consultative Forum, and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government Research Committee.

Danielle previously worked in senior roles at the ACCC and at NERA Economic Consulting. She started her career as a graduate at the Productivity Commission.

Danielle holds an Honours degree in Economics from the University of Adelaide and two Masters degrees — one in Economics and one in Competition Law — from the University of Melbourne.

She is an Honorary Fellow and former President of the Economic Society of Australia, co-founder and first Chair of the Women in Economics Network, and a former Research Fellow of the Women's Leadership Institute. She is currently an ex-officio member of the Australian Government's Competition Review Expert Advisory Panel.

Other speakers from the Productivity Commission will join the discussion.