Bills

South Australian Productivity Commission Bill

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (15:40): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to establish the South Australian Productivity Commission, and for other purposes. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (15:41): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The South Australian Productivity Commission Bill 2018 initiates a key economic reform, and its introduction fulfils another major commitment in my government's 100-day plan.

The commission will play a vital role in generating jobs, investment and economic growth in South Australia. The functioning of this commission will instil a high level of public confidence that the advice and recommendations that it provides are based on rigorous analysis and political impartiality. That is why this bill establishes the commission as an independent statutory body, which will be fully and publicly accountable for the advice it provides and the actions that it recommends.

The commission will deliver a very important function for South Australia by making recommendations to government to remove existing regulatory barriers and to directly support productivity growth, unlocking new economic opportunities and creating new jobs in our state. Productivity improvement is a key source of long-term economic growth, business competitiveness and real per capita income growth. It is an important determinant of living standards and wellbeing for all South Australians.

For too long South Australia's productivity growth has failed to keep pace with the rest of the developed world. Labor productivity has lagged as other jurisdictions have seen massive increases in private capital investment, as well as more effective investment in skills, education and training. Equally, our state has missed opportunities to grow multifactor productivity, something that, if continued, will drag on the growth of our prosperity and an increasingly digitally enabled services-based world.

We are committed to bringing a new approach to government, to government regulation and to service provision. The commission will be tasked with identifying unnecessary regulation for removal and advising the government on ways to modernise and simplify regulation which has become outdated or which imposes unnecessary costs on South Australian businesses and families, allowing businesses to grow and create jobs and families to raise their living standards.

It is the role of government to maximise the efficient use of taxpayer funds in the delivery of services and infrastructure. The commission will identify opportunities to improve the accessibility, efficiency and quality of services delivered or funded by government, to facilitate structural change whilst minimising the hardships that may occur as a result of this change, and to promote regional development and development occurring in an ecologically sustainable way.

These objectives will ensure the commission works to improve the lot of all South Australians collectively, rather than the particular economic sectors or individual groups. Importantly, the commission will not serve as a committee of audit. This is not about reducing the quality of outcomes achieved by government spending but, rather, improving both quality and efficiency for every dollar spent. This bill requires the commission to act transparently.

A Notice of Inquiry setting out the terms of reference and opportunities for the public to provide submissions will be made publicly available every time a matter is referred to the commission for inquiry. The commission's report on each inquiry that it makes will be published on the commission's website, including its recommendations for government action.

Commissioners will be eminently qualified by virtue of their knowledge and experience in industry, commerce, economics, law or public administration, bringing together the best available advice and expertise of our private and public sectors. We have many highly capable people engaged in developing public policy in this state: in the public sector and in the parliament.

However, it is important that we challenge our thinking as we go to ensure that our assumptions and analyses are thoroughly tested and that we look for innovative approaches and solutions to problems that affect South Australians. This independent body of experts will make a valuable contribution in testing and extending the depth of thinking by government, improving the quality of outcomes delivered for South Australians.

I am pleased to be able to introduce this bill in the government's first 100 days, as I committed to do before the election, and I look forward to support in both places for this important and necessary initiative. I commend the bill to members in this house, I table a copy of the explanation of clauses and encourage members to give this important legislation serious and favourable consideration.

Debate adjourned on motion of Ms Hildyard.