Productivity Commission appoints Chris Barrett as new chief, treasurer Jim Chalmers confirms

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Chris Barrett’s appointment as new head of Productivity Commission follows a ‘rigorous process’. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has appointed Chris Barrett, a seasoned economist and former chief of staff to another Labor treasurer, to head the Productivity Commission for the next five years.

Barrett’s appointment for a term of five years starting in September followed “a rigorous process involving interviews with two departmental secretaries and the Australian Public Service commissioner”, Chalmers said on Monday.