I am pleased to announce that Mr Gary Banks has been reappointed to a further five-year term as Chairman of the Productivity Commission.
Under the leadership of Mr Banks, the Productivity Commission has provided a vital, independent source of public information and advice to government on policy reforms needed to underpin Australia's long-term prosperity.
During Mr Banks' inaugural term, the Commission conducted 28 public inquiries, including the landmark inquiry into Australia's gambling industries, and released 190 reports, as well as taking on significant new functions for the Commonwealth and the Council of Australian Governments.
Mr Banks has personally presided over a dozen major public inquiries, dealing with matters including private health insurance, Australia's gambling industries and, most recently, post-2005 assistance to the automotive industry.
In addition to his corporate management and leadership roles, Mr Banks chairs the Inter-governmental Steering Committee for the Commonwealth/State Review of Government Service Provision, which produces a major report (the Blue Book) annually. He concurrently chairs the Review's Working Group on Indigenous Disadvantage. Mr Banks also has responsibility for oversight of the Commonwealth's regulation-making processes through the Office of Regulation Review.
Mr Banks was previously Executive Commissioner at the Industry Commission, which he joined in 1990. In earlier years, he had extensive professional experience in the private and public sectors, both in Australia and overseas.
I am confident that, under the leadership of Gary Banks, the Productivity Commission will continue to serve Australia well as it addresses a substantial forward agenda of new inquiries and research.