Queensland Productivity Commission Bill 2024

Strongly supported the bill, arguing the Productivity Commission will expose declining productivity under Labor, particularly corruption and poor performance in the building industry driven by union influence.

“I wholeheartedly support the Queensland Productivity Commission Bill. I look forward to seeing the fruits of its first investigation.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Moved the second reading as Treasurer, arguing the commission is essential to lifting Queensland's stagnant productivity, securing future prosperity, and delivering on an election commitment. Cited broad stakeholder support from business and industry groups.

“The model is clear: a government can tell the Productivity Commission what to do but never what to say.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Did not oppose the establishment of the Productivity Commission and criticised Labor for abolishing it, but raised concerns the LNP could stack it with favourable commissioners and that conventional productivity metrics ignore social and environmental values.

“The Queensland Greens do not oppose the establishment of the Productivity Commission.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Stated Labor does not oppose re-establishing a statutory productivity commission but argued the bill creates an LNP think tank controlled by the Treasurer rather than a genuinely independent body. Foreshadowed amendments to remove ministerial approval of self-initiated research and require publication of ministerial directions.

“I want to be very clear: Labor does not oppose the re-establishment of a statutory productivity commission. We completely support the notion of improved productivity and efficiency for our state, and we will not stand in the way of any viable solutions to this issue. However, our support is conditional on the commission being established as independent from government.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Argued that productivity is critical to livability and cost of living, and that Labor's abolition of the previous commission was a calculated move to eliminate independent oversight.

“Productivity is something that affects all Queenslanders in their overall livability.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as committee chair, arguing Labor's abolition of the original commission was a mistake. Highlighted that lost productivity growth cost Queensland an estimated $61 billion in one year alone.

“Had productivity growth remained at its pre-2018 average growth over the subsequent period, it is estimated that Queensland's real per capita income could have been $11,000 higher in 2023-24.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Argued the bill creates a 'DOGE lite' echo chamber for right-wing ideology, lacking independence as the commission cannot publish research without Treasurer approval and its broad powers could be used for politicised investigations.

“This construct only serves to create a 'DOGE lite' echo chamber for right wing ideology which, through that narrow lens, will never allow the commission to achieve its central purpose.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Acknowledged support for a productivity commission in principle but argued this bill weakens the independence and transparency that made the former QPC valuable. Criticised the Treasurer's power to approve or refuse self-initiated research and the absence of 'independence' and 'transparency' from the bill's objectives.

“If this bill were simply re-establishing that kind of productivity commission the opposition would not be resistant to it, but that is not what this bill does.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering on a key election commitment, emphasising the importance of restoring independent economic advisory capability after Labor's abolition of the previous commission.

“This legislation is not just about reinstating an institution; it is about reinforcing the Crisafulli LNP state government's commitment to improving productivity, enhancing competitiveness and securing a brighter economic future for all Queenslanders.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering on the government's 100-day plan commitment and welcomed the inquiry into the building and construction industry to address housing affordability.

“Restoring the Productivity Commission is a step towards securing Queensland's future prosperity.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Argued the bill provides a hammer in the hands of the Treasurer by giving full control over published advice and research, preventing genuine independence, and supported the shadow treasurer's amendments.

“This bill would provide, in its current form, a hammer in the hands of the Treasurer by giving full control to published advice and research.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Argued the commission will not be independent, transparent or accountable, describing it as a personal plaything of the Treasurer. Highlighted that the Treasurer can approve or refuse research, amend proposals, and command the commission not to publish self-initiated research.

“It is very clear that this commission is not an independent body. As the shadow treasurer said, it is a personal plaything of the Treasurer. It is his own private think tank to command.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as a means to cut red tape and deliver projects on time and on budget, citing the example of a cassowary bridge that cost four times its estimate.

“I support the Queensland Productivity Commission Bill as we need to lower costs, lower delays and get better outcomes.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill, criticising Labor for abolishing the original commission after it produced an adverse productivity report in 2020. Argued the commission is needed to address the housing crisis and unlock economic roadblocks.

“Getting rid of a productivity commission was naive for them to do.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Argued the commission is a plaything of the LNP and a proxy for unpopular policies that will single out and attack unionised workers, lacking genuine independence.

“This is a version of a productivity commission that attacks union workers. Let us be very clear and up-front about what this Productivity Commission will do.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Acknowledged what a properly functioning independent commission could mean for Queensland but argued this bill delivers control instead of independence and secrecy instead of transparency. Supported the shadow treasurer's amendments.

“A productivity commission that could not publish its findings without the Treasurer's approval is not independent; that is control.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Argued that under Labor Queenslanders paid more and got less, that declining productivity leads to declining living standards, and criticised Labor's hypocrisy in opposing the bill after abolishing the previous commission.

“It is productivity that leads to higher real wages. It is productivity that leads to improved living standards in Australia and across our state as well.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Spoke in strong support, arguing the commission will benefit regions like Nicklin by addressing regulatory inefficiencies and supporting job creation. Highlighted that construction productivity has grown only 17 per cent since 1994-95 compared to 64 per cent in the broader market.

“Weak productivity growth leads to lower wages, slower economic expansion and higher inflation.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Argued the bill falls short of delivering a truly independent productivity commission, with the Treasurer able to approve, amend or refuse research proposals and block publication, and supported the shadow treasurer's amendments.

“Under the LNP's legislation, any proposed research for publication by the commission must be approved by the Treasurer before the research can commence.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Argued the commission would move beyond giving advice to being an active participant in implementing the LNP government's agenda. Expressed concern it would be used to attack wages and conditions of construction workers and undermine truly independent bodies like the Auditor-General.

“This commission will not be independent. It will not be transparent. It will not be accountable; it will only be accountable to the LNP Treasurer, who will be able to control and command the Queensland Productivity Commission.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Argued the bill is necessary to restore productivity after a decade of Labor's sweetheart deals with the CFMEU caused massive cost blowouts including $17 billion on Cross River Rail.

“Queenslanders are sick and tired of sitting in traffic because a road has not been upgraded or roadwork is going on for months or years longer than it should.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill, arguing it is essential for a healthy economy. Highlighted that the construction industry represents the largest share of small businesses and welcomed the commission's first brief to review the sector.

“After a decade of stagnation, we can no longer afford to kick the productivity can down the road.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Raised concerns about the commission's broad functions potentially overlapping with parliamentary committees, and argued the commission will be at the behest of one minister without genuine independence.

“The work of the commission will literally be at the behest of one minister, and that is deeply concerning.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Argued the bill fails the 'pub test' of independence because clause 37 requires the Treasurer to approve all research. Criticised the government for hiding 44 pages of economic modelling on BPIC while citing it publicly, and described the commission as an LNP think tank paid for by the taxpayer.

“There is no transparency, no integrity and no independence. It is an LNP think tank paid for by the taxpayer. That is all it is.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as crucial for the Redlands community, arguing productivity directly impacts everyday lives through business growth, jobs and housing affordability.

“For my community in Redlands, this bill is about ensuring every dollar of taxpayers' money works harder and goes further.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as a critical step for Queensland's economic resilience, highlighting that productivity growth at pre-2018 levels would have meant $11,000 more in real per capita income. Argued the commission would benefit families across Pumicestone.

“If productivity growth had remained at pre-2018 levels, Queenslanders could be earning $11,000 more in real per capita income today.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Criticised the bill as lightweight and lacking independence, arguing the Treasurer has total control over the commission unlike the federal model, and predicted it would be stacked with LNP mates and used as cover for cuts.

“They promised us a tiger and all we got with this bill was a tabby. They promised us a dragon and we have a skink.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill, framing productivity as the means to generate wealth and lift living standards. Shared a story of a pensioner in Palm Beach who could no longer afford housing, arguing the commission's focus on the construction sector would help address the crisis.

“This Productivity Commission will be the pathway to that wealth creation. It will be the pathway to reducing the costs that have pushed Queensland families to the breaking point.”— 2025-02-20View Hansard

Supported the bill as providing a mechanism to address Queensland's declining productivity, particularly in construction, and to consult with industry on solutions.

“Sadly, Queensland has overtaken Victoria as the least productive state in the delivery of new projects.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Questioned whether Queensland productivity is actually declining as the Treasurer claimed, citing Treasury data showing economic growth, and raised concerns the commission will be used to cut jobs and workers' rights.

“It is very clear that the LNP government does not want the Productivity Commission to have either.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill particularly for its benefits to regional Queensland, emphasising the commission's importance for agriculture, mining and small businesses in the Gregory electorate.

“This bill confirms the Crisafulli LNP government's commitment to a fresh start for Queensland by reinstating a platform to deliver frank and fearless policy advice.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of the government's effort to cut red tape, citing 120,000 regulatory restrictions and up to $7 billion in annual compliance costs burdening Queensland businesses.

“Restoring the Productivity Commission is not the end of our efforts to improve productivity in Queensland.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the re-establishment of the QPC as an important institution for evidence-based policy, emphasising the need for its first review into the building industry and accepting Treasury's assurance that the minister cannot dictate report content.

“Moving into the future, it will be essential to have this agency working for the betterment of Queensland. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as essential for cutting red tape, citing the explosion of regulation since 1974 and the near $50,000 compliance costs facing small businesses.

“Do we as a state need to drive productivity? The simple one-word answer is a resounding yes.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Argued the commission is an LNP think tank designed to serve the government's agenda rather than the public interest, with the Treasurer able to refuse or amend research proposals and block publication.

“The LNP do not want independence; they just want a body that echoes their priorities, providing excuses to cut jobs and workers' conditions.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Argued productivity is the key to reversing declining purchasing power and that the commission will help reduce regulation, cut costs and attract investment.

“That is why I am so passionate about delivering our independent Productivity Commission to make ever-improving economic conditions part of the DNA of this state.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Argued the bill uses rhetoric to dupe Queenslanders while establishing a commission with no independence, accountability or transparency, where the minister controls what is researched and published.

“It would be very hard to find anyone who thinks it is okay to set up a body called the Productivity Commission that has no independence, no accountability and no transparency.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill on behalf of the Rockhampton community, citing a local construction business owner's letter calling for the commission to cut red tape and address regulatory delays.

“Good stewardship of the Queensland taxpayer dollar is expected, and Queenslanders deserve to have transparency on how that is being managed.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Argued the bill lays groundwork for cuts to the Public Service, privatisation of energy assets and infrastructure cuts, drawing parallels to the Newman government's Costello commission of audit.

“This bill in its current form cannot be supported without the amendments that will be moved by the opposition.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering accountability and transparency, arguing productivity gains are essential for getting projects like Cross River Rail back on budget.

“Queenslanders, including the people in my electorate of Redcliffe, want government to be accountable and transparent with the use of public funds.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as vital to bringing down costs through reducing red tape and improving construction productivity, arguing Queensland has the potential to be the most prosperous state.

“Queensland should remain a land of opportunity and continue to attract investment to our state.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, arguing big government creates smaller people and that productivity in the housing industry is essential for addressing homelessness.

“Big government creates smaller people—not opportunity. We want to see a government that unlocks prosperity to enable our economy to thrive.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Argued the bill represents a broken promise on independence and is part of a strategy to cut services and undermine working conditions, drawing parallels to the Newman government's Costello commission recommendations.

“This bill before the House represents two things. The first thing it represents is an LNP broken promise, because they said they would set up an independent Queensland productivity commission and this is far from independent.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill from his experience as an electrical contractor, arguing low productivity on building sites puts all contractors under financial strain and drives up costs.

“Low productivity on a building site does not just blow out timelines and increase costs; it pushes every contractor working on the project under financial strain.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as Housing Minister, arguing it is critical for reforming the building and construction industry where productivity has declined severely, contributing to the housing supply crisis.

“If there is one sector that desperately needs reform it is our building and construction industry.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering on a 2022 election commitment, citing Auditor-General findings of cost blowouts on projects and industry support from the Property Council and Master Builders.

“Good governments get out of the way of people and let them get on with business. People will inspire you.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill particularly for its potential to reduce regulatory burdens on agriculture and primary industries, citing support from Canegrowers and plans to refer fisheries matters to the commission.

“It is clear that the previous Labor government did not want to know the impact of its decisions.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Supported the bill as a key election commitment, arguing declining productivity has driven up construction costs making road upgrades like the Mundubbera-Durong Road prohibitively expensive.

“It certainly makes a change, or maybe even a fresh start, for Queensland.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

Argued the Productivity Commission is essential for respecting taxpayers' money and warned of intergenerational theft from Labor's $9.9 billion annual interest bill.

“The reason we are establishing a productivity commission in Queensland is to do the serious research—to look at where the red and green tape is.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

As Deputy Premier, strongly supported the bill, arguing it will restore productivity to construction sites after the CFMEU's control under Labor, and criticised Labor for abolishing the previous commission when it produced reports they did not like.

“We are not scared of productivity reports. If the Productivity Commission produces reports that make it more efficient and cheaper for Queensland to deliver projects, bring it on!”— 2025-03-12View Hansard

As Treasurer, delivered the reply speech defending the commission's independence, arguing the bill clearly states the Treasurer cannot direct the content of advice or recommendations, and criticised opposition amendments.

“I am privileged to be the Treasurer who restores the independent Productivity Commission to Queensland.”— 2025-03-12View Hansard