The COVID-19 commission will be reassembled to execute the government’s JobMaker plan under the leadership of the mining sector’s respected executive, Nev Power, as chair.
The group will now be called the National COVID-19 Commission (NCC) Advisory Board, to better reflect its role, the Prime Minister said, and will work within the government, forming part of the cabinet deliberative processes.
“While the health response continues to be of the utmost importance in managing outbreaks as they arise, we have to continue our focus on recovery and reform,” the Prime Minister said on Monday.
“I have asked the commission to concentrate its efforts and business expertise on providing advice on what more could be done to create as many jobs as quickly as possible to accelerate Australia’s economic recovery.”
The government’s JobMaker Plan is built on enabling a business-led post-COVID economic recovery through skills and training reform, industrial relations reform, boosting manufacturing capability, infrastructure revival, deregulation, tax and federation reform.
“When I announced the establishment of the commission, I said its key task was to fix problems. It has certainly done that — from sourcing personal protective equipment and helping address supply-chain challenges to ensuring businesses have the tools to stay open or to reopen safely,” he said.
“Under the leadership of Nev Power as chair, the commission will continue to work closely with business leaders and key industry sectors, focusing on areas where we can make the most gains, most quickly.”
While Mr Power and existing commission members Jane Halton, Paul Little and David Thodey will remain in their roles, new members will be added including former Bendigo Bank managing director Mike Hirst and Transurban CFO Samantha Hogg.
Also joining them will be Su McCluskey, who was part of the Small Business Digital Taskforce and led the review of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman; the CEO of food franchise Rolld Australia, Bao Hoang; the CEO of Supply Nation, Laura Berry; and the national managing partner of KPMG Enterprise, Paul Howes.
“Together, they bring valuable expertise in the sectors of finance, resources and infrastructure, regional Australia, small business and workforce issues,” Mr Morrison said.
“I look forward to their contribution to our economic recovery.”
