So what can we expect from the roundtable, and what might it achieve?

Treasurer Jim Chalmers speaks to the media ahead of his three-day economic reform roundtable. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

What is the point of the roundtable?

After the RBA’s announcement, Chalmers told reporters that “productivity is the most serious economic challenge that we have in our economy”.

Who will be there?

On the invitation list is a diverse assembly of around 30 leaders from the business community, the union movement and civil society who will attend alongside economists, policy experts and heads of key government agencies. Some of the sectors represented at the roundtable include banking, universities, mining and superannuation.

RBA governor Michele Bullock will deliver a presentation at the three-day economic roundtable. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts

Presentations will be delivered by RBA governor Michele Bullock, Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood and Grattan Institute CEO Dr Aruna Sathanapally among others. The government says a further 900 submissions from experts, industry leaders and individuals will also inform the outcome of the roundtable.

What are some of the big ideas up for discussion?

Artificial Intelligence is also proving to be a hot topic, with the Productivity Commission leading calls to reduce regulation of AI to boost productivity. This has been met with resistance from unions and creative bodies who are calling for greater protection of workers and intellectual property against the risks of AI.

What are the concerns with it?

In response, Albanese told reporters that they were “awaiting the forum, and ideas will then come through normal government processes. That’s how good policy happens”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the purpose of the economic roundtable, arguing that its role is to generate ideas that will inform economic policy. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

A spokesperson for Chalmers said the government is not “pre-empting ideas” but “preparing for them as you would expect”.

Nonetheless, the government has already confirmed it won’t be implementing all the ideas brought forward to the roundtable.

What we won’t see

“The only tax policy we’re implementing is the one we took to the election.”