THRIVE BY FIVE WELCOMES THE APPOINTMENT OF DANIELLE WOOD AS PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION CHAIR
12 September 2023 – Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five campaign has welcomed the appointment of Danielle Wood as the Chair of the Productivity Commission, which is currently inquiring into Australia’s early childhood education and care system.
Minderoo Foundation’s Griffin Longley said Ms Wood was a staunch advocate of bold, progressive ideas and could play a crucial role in early learning reforms in Australia.
The Productivity Commission is currently undertaking an inquiry into Australia’s early childhood education and care system [1]. The aim of the inquiry is to provide the Federal Government with advice on the reforms to make early learning more accessible and affordable for Australian families.
“Danielle Wood is a leading policy expert and has a proven record of advocating for the kinds of bold reforms we need as a nation to address some of our most critical challenges, including early learning, and her appointment to The Commission is much welcome news,” Mr Longley said.
“Ms Wood’s appointment to The Commission also comes at an important time, as the body currently is in the process of finalising its recommendations for the Government on early learning reforms.
“The Productivity Commission, through its inquiry into Early Childhood Education, has the opportunity to lead on comprehensive reforms that can help ensure all children and families across the country can access the benefits of high-quality early learning.
“The Terms of Reference laid out by the Commission’s inquiry earlier this year provided a framework for the kinds of bold reforms Australia’s early learning system needs to truly work for all families.
“Ms Wood has long championed the idea of a universally accessible, high-quality and affordable system that leaves no one behind. Having her lead the Commission during this vital period will help ensure that the inquiry goes to the heart of challenges faced by our early learning sector.
“We encourage Ms Wood to use her appointment as the new head of the Commission to ensure that the inquiry into early learning is bold in its approach and tackles head-on the issues of affordability, accessibility and quality while ensuring workforce reforms are central to its scope.
“This includes recommending the roll-out of three year old pre-school nationwide, the abolition of the Activity Test, and investment in improving regional and rural childcare infrastructure.
“As an exceptionally qualified economist and a passionate advocate for vital social reforms, we look forward to working with Ms Wood, especially on matters relating to early learning reforms,” Mr Longley said.
[1] – Productivity Commission – Early Childhood Education and Care Inquiry
