Adopting a growth mindset – the role of the public sector in lifting productivity
On Thursday 12 March 2026, IPAA Queensland held its first Challenger Seminar Series event for 2026, in partnership with Deloitte.
The event featured a keynote address from Danielle Wood, Chair of the Australian Productivity Commission, followed by a facilitated discussion with Claire Ibrahim, Partner, Deloitte Access Economics, and an audience Q&A.
Central to the current public debate has been conjecture on what more governments can do to lift productivity and, importantly, what role productivity reform should play in addressing pressing policy challenges including declining housing affordability and cost of living pressures.
How governments choose to spend and invest, regulate and tax and deliver essential services all matter to productivity and influence the trajectory for economic growth and prosperity.
Productivity growth in Australia has slowed significantly in recent years, placing it firmly at the centre of public policy debate. Against this backdrop, the Australian Productivity Commission’s recently completed Five Pillars of Productivity Inquiries has called for governments to adopt a growth mindset when making policy choices. The discussion explored what this looks like in practice, including how to weigh the trade-offs between economic growth and pressing challenges such as housing affordability and cost of living pressures, and the role that regulation plays in either enabling or hindering better community outcomes.
Interested in hearing more? Check out the event blog here.
DANIELLE WOOD
Danielle Wood is Chair of the Productivity Commission, having commenced a 5-year term on 13 November 2023.
Before joining the Commission, Danielle was CEO of the Grattan Institute and led the Budgets and Government Program. This work also included contributions to national advisory bodies such as 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 has held senior roles at the ACCC and NERA Economic Consulting, and started out as a graduate at the Productivity Commission. Danielle holds an Honours degree in Economics (University of Adelaide) and two Masters degrees (Economics and Competition Law, University of Melbourne). Danielle is an Honorary Fellow and former President of the Economic Society of Australia, co-founded the Women in Economics Network, and is an ex-officio member of the Australian Government’s Competition Review Expert Advisory Panel.
CLAIRE IBRAHIM
Claire is a Partner in Deloitte Access Economics’ economic analysis and public policy team with expertise in microeconomic analysis, economic scenario modelling and public policy reform agendas. Prior to joining Deloitte, Claire worked in the Queensland public sector focusing on economic and fiscal policy development.
Claire is passionate about using economics to answer how structural change impacts society – leading projects across governments, the private sector and Australia’s major institutions. Claire’s body of research and analysis for clients focuses on economic transition, disruption to industry and the policy settings that minimise downside risks, while catalysing long-term economic gains.
Our Challenger Series aims to facilitate discussion on topics and issues that are challenging in their very nature, to spark conversations that can lead to real impact and to be a catalyst for transformation in public purpose work in Queensland. These interactive forums are based on respectful collaboration and are intended to provide a platform to promote ideas and discussion about emerging issues, innovation, and future public service reform.