Danielle Wood, CEO of the Grattan Institute, has been named by Treasurer Jim Chalmers as the next Chair of the Productivity Commission.
Wood’s appointment to the Productivity Commission is for a term of five years, with her set to become the first woman to lead the commission or any of its predecessor agencies that stretch back for more than a century.
Her appointment comes after the previously announced candidate for the position, Chris Barrett, told the federal government he would not proceed with the appointment.
Wood has been the CEO of the think tank the Grattan Institute since 2020, and has been at the forefront of economic policy conversation across Australia during this time. She has published work on economic reform priorities, budgets, tax reform, women’s workforce participation, generational inequality, and reforming political institutions.
“Ms Wood is an outstanding economist who will bring exceptional public policy expertise to the Productivity Commission. Her track record of leadership and innovative research at the Grattan Institute will greatly contribute to the PC’s mission,” Chalmers said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Her appointment follows a merit‑based process involving interviews with two departmental secretaries and the APS Commissioner. Subject to the Governor General’s approval, Ms Wood will take up her position as soon as possible. Until then, the standing acting arrangements will apply.”
Previously, Wood has worked as Principal Economist and Director of Merger Investigations at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, as a senior economist at NERA Economic Consulting, and a senior research economist at the Productivity Commission.
She is also the President of the Economic Society of Australia and co‑founder and first Chair of the Women in Economics Network. She has an honours degree in economics from Adelaide University and Masters degrees in economics and competition law from Melbourne University.
In a statement on Wednesday, Wood said she was honoured to be offered the position of Chair at the Productivity Commission, but also sad to be leaving Grattan.
“My time at Grattan has been the most exhilarating, challenging, and fun of my career,” she said. “I’m proud that, under my leadership and that of my predecessor, founding CEO John Daley, Grattan has been able to evolve from an institute into an institution, with a central role in improving public policy in the interests of all Australians.”
‘The credit for that belongs to the incredible staff we have at Grattan – they are stunningly bright, intellectually curious, and driven to improve public policy in the public interest. Australia is lucky to have them, and I will miss them all.’
Wood will continue in her role at the Grattan Institute until 10 November 2023.