Part 5/7:
The conversation then shifted to a proposed productivity roundtable organized by political entities, notably by a PR-minded effort that has received some criticism. Garrett noted skepticism about the effectiveness of such forums, recalling previous initiatives—like the 2022 Labor-led economic roundtable—that yielded limited tangible results, with productivity metrics reaching a 20-year low.
He expressed concern that these efforts might serve more as political photo opportunities than genuine problem-solving platforms. Garrett argued that the underlying issues—such as unsustainable public sector employment and persistent deficits—require substantive policy changes rather than symbolic meetings.