Latest News

ACE 2025
The 2025 ACE Committee is extending the call for abstracts for ACE by two weeks to COB Monday 14 April 2025.
The Committee especially welcomes abstracts for papers that fit the Conference theme Economics for a Changing World, that address major current issues, as well as the education of economists, and any papers describing high quality research in economic-related subjects.

Trump's impact on the Australian Economy
Poll 66
Top economists say Trump’s policies will hit Australian economic growth and push up inflation and interest rates in the US.
Responses (38)
Housing Reform
Poll 65
Panellists are unanimous in believing Australia’s housing market is in crisis.
Offered a choice of 14 measures identified by the Economic Society of Australia as likely to restrain prices for buyers and renters, none of the 49 leading economists polled picked: “do nothing, the market will determine appropriate prices”.
Responses (967)
Vale, Philip Macgregor Norman
Philip, an Honorary Fellow of the Economic Society of Australia died recently after a short illness.
As a long-time member of the Victoria branch, he was President and also Treasurer. After his father Arthur Norman died, his mother Jean Macgregor married Richard Downing, the Ritchie Professor of Economic Research, at the University of Melbourne and editor of the Economic Record.

Awards 2024
A number of prestigious awards were bestowed upon worthy economists at ACE24, held in Adelaide. Read on to find out who won the 2024 ESA National Awards.

Budget 2024
Poll 64
Panelists were asked to comment on two questions:
Is the budget likely to achieve its aim of getting inflation back within the RBA target band by the end of this year and back to 2.75% by mid next year?
And
On May 14, the government delivered a budget designed, in the Treasurer's words, to "focus on fighting inflation in the near term and then growth in the medium term " - What grade would you give the budget, given that objective? A, B, C, D, E or F
Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
Responses (990)
ACE 2024
The Australian Conference of Economists was held in Adelaide, SA from 10-12 July. Presented papers will be published on our website in due course.
Next year's ACE will be held at UTS in Sydney and coincides with the Society's 100 year anniversary. Preparations are well underway to bring members a very special event - please stay tuned for more details about ACE25. In the meantime, hold the date of 6-9 July 2025 and register your interest via the dedicated ACE25 website.

IEA Update from Dani Rodrik
The most important development to report is that our project on Advancing Women in Leadership in Economics, with the acronym IEA-WE, has been fully launched. This is a multi-year project that has been generously funded by Co-Impact Foundation and the Open Society Foundation.

Stiglitz Essay Prize Award
The Economic Society of Australia sponsors an annual Stiglitz Essay Prize in honour of Joseph Stiglitz. The Prize is awarded by the International Economic Association, an association founded in 1950 to support the study of economics across countries, with a particular focus on emerging economies. The ESA is a member of the IEA.
Christopher Parsons (UWA), presented the award on behalf of the Society.

Unreserved - RBA's latest release of digitised archival records
The latest tranche of archival records has been released in the Bank’s digital archive, Unreserved. It includes early economic analysis conducted by the central bank from 1930 to 1970.
Events

24th Annual Stan Kelly Lecture 2025
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday May 20, 2025, 5:15 pm
The Economics Society of Australia Victoria Branch invites you to attend a two-course sit-down diner at the 2025 Stan Kelly lecture being delivered by Dr Ken Henry AC FASSA FAIIA. Dr Henry will reflect on the role of the economist in securing the nation's future.
Sorry: Bookings are now closed
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The 2025 - 2026 Victorian State Budget Review
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday May 21, 2025, 12:30 pm
In May the Victorian Government will deliver its 2025-26 Budget. What are the policy priorities for the budget by the Allan Government, and what does the budget say about the state of the Victorian economy?
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WEN: Coffee Meet-up
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 22, 2025, 7:45 am
The Women in Economics Network in Victoria is delighted to invite you to an informal coffee meet-up on in the city to catch up with fellow friends and economists, including this month's special guests, Executive Directors at the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance, Miranda Forehan and Teresa Stewart.
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ESA YP: Tracking changes in trade policy and industrial policy: working on the Trade and Assistance Review at the Productivity Commission
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 22, 2025, 5:30 pm
Join us for after-work drinks and an enlightening discussion featuring young economists and experts as they delve into the evolving landscape of trade and industrial policy.
Drawing on insights from the Trade and Assistance Review at the Productivity Commission, our speakers will examine the challenges and opportunities presented by developments in trade and tariffs, providing a unique perspective on navigating the complexities of policy transformation.
This event promises to be a fantastic opportunity to mingle with fellow young economists, expand your professional circle, and enjoy a delightful evening in good company.
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WEN-AARES Mini-Symposium
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 29, 2025, 3:30 pm
We would like to invite you to a mini-symposium that is organised as a collaboration between WEN QLD and the Australasian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES).
It will showcase a fine selection of research presented at the AARES 2025 conference.
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Business lunch with Sarah Hunter, Chief Economist, RBA
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Jun 3, 2025, 11:45 am
Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Chief Economist and Assistant Governor (Economic) Sarah Hunter will address ESA QLD on Australia's economic outlook, covering domestic and international issues, including the impact of tariffs. Join us at the Brisbane Marriott Hotel to network with Brisbane’s business community, enjoy a 2 course lunch including beverages, all while hearing from the RBA Chief Economist.
Thanks to Morgans for their ongoing support of business lunches with RBA senior officials. Morgans Chief Economist Michael Knox will introduce Sarah and lead the Q&A following Sarah's address.
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From Cash to Code: How the Rise of Digital Currencies Could Reshape Trade, Power, and Australia’s Economic Future
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Jun 4, 2025, 12:15 pm
In this webinar, Dr. Marina Yue Zhang explores the transformative impact of mobile payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay in China, which have integrated online and offline life for millions. It also delves into China's Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), e-CNY, which is a state-backed digital currency designed to function alongside or replace cash. The e-CNY has significant implications for national sovereignty, economic policy, and global trade. China's strategic push for digital finance aims to reshape the global financial order and establish the country as a leader in CBDC technology, influencing future global economic governance.
View...Reframing the Tax Reform Debate - Who Lifts and Who Leans, Really?
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Jun 11, 2025, 5:15 pm

LinkedUP! August
Date: Thursday Aug 14, 2025, 5:30 pm
It’s time for another LinkedUP! The WEN Queensland branch invites you to join us for an informal networking evening. Come along to connect or reconnect with old and new WEN members.
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The Roads to Development: Work, Markets and Institutions
Event Type: Workshops/Conferences
Date: Monday Oct 20, 2025, 12:00 am
The Roads to Development is a two-day conference bringing together a number of leading academics with the aim to revisit the concept of development and consider the conditions that make it possible in the present state of the world. Among our keynote speakers we will have worldwide known economists as Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, Jeffrey Sachs, Stefano Zamagni, Juan Francisco Jimeno, and Albino Barrera, as well as sociologist Allison Pugh.
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LinkedUP! November
Date: Thursday Nov 13, 2025, 5:30 pm
It’s time for another LinkedUP! The WEN Queensland branch invites you to join us for an informal networking evening. Come along to connect or reconnect with old and new WEN members.
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Chinese Economics Society Australia
Event Type: Workshops/Conferences
Date: Monday Dec 1, 2025, 12:00 am
Hosted by Deakin Business School in Melbourne, Australia, the 35th Annual Conference of the Chinese Economics Society Australia (CESA) aims to explore the impact of the artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping China’s economic landscape and its profound implications for the global economy. The conference welcomes both theoretical and empirical contributions, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary perspectives that bridge economics, policy analysis, and technological foresight.
View...Welcome
Welcome to the National website of the Economic Society of Australia (The Society). The Society is primarily concerned with promoting discussion and debate of economic issues within Australia.