New Victorian Parliamentary Budget Officer Appointed

Mr Xavier Rimmer has been appointed as Victoria’s Parliamentary Budget Officer.

The Victorian Parliament’s multi-party Public Accounts and Estimates Committee recommended Mr Rimmer’s appointment for a five-year term.

Mr Rimmer joined the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) as Director of Policy Analysis and Advice in 2018 – he has been the Acting Parliamentary Budget Officer since April 2023.

Previously he was an Assistant Director of the Australian Parliamentary Budget Office and worked at the Commonwealth Department of Treasury.

The Labor Government established the PBO in 2018 under the Parliamentary Budget Office Act (2017) as an important addition to Victoria’s parliamentary system.

The PBO is an independent organisation staffed by researchers and economists that provides accessible policy costings to political parties and MPs.

Prior to the establishment of the PBO, only the Government could access public sector advice for costing a policy. The PBO enables all MPs to request these services.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas

“The Parliamentary Budget Office is an important feature of our democracy – it means all parties and Members of Parliament have the capacity to commission independent research.”

“Parliament’s Public Accounts and Estimates Committee recommended Mr Rimmer’s appointment and this was accepted by the Government. I wish him all the best in the position.”

“The appointment process underlines the independent nature of the role of the PBO.”