Poll 69
'Skills, competition, infrastructure': top economists tell Chalmers what belongs in his productivity package. Top economists want Treasurer Jim Chalmers to spend his 12 May Budget fixing the supply side of the Australian economy.
Responses (42)
A Centennial History of The Economic Society of Australia, Alex Millmow
This centennial history of the Economic Society of Australia is much more than an administrative record. It’s the story of how the Society has evolved since 1925 against a background of rapidly changing trends in the Australian economics profession and profound changes within the economy.
ACE 2026 will be held in Canberra, ACT from 7-10 July 2026 at University of Canberra and will cover a full range of topical economic issues. It is targeted at economists in academe, government and business and will cover Climate change and environmental externalities; Challenges in social policy; How government can best implement policies in an environment of declining trust and misinformation; and Contemporary economic issues such as raising productivity and tax reform. The conference will feature plenary sessions with international speakers and concurrent sessions with domestic presenters.
Poll 68
Australia's top economists overwhelmingly believe there’s no better way to boost productivity than to boost skills. Offered a choice of seven measures identified by the Economic Society of Australia as candidates for achieving the Treasurer’s aim of boosting Australia’s historically low rate of productivity growth, 26 of the 45 economists polled picked boosting skills and workforce capability, almost twice as many as picked the next most-popular option: promoting innovation and research and development.
Responses (43)
They say that the wheels of academia turn slowly. Well, consider this. In August 1925 the Economic Society of Australia and New Zealand came into formal existence after branches had already been established in six Australian states and four major cities of New Zealand.
A number of prestigious awards were bestowed upon worthy economists at ACE2025 which held in Sydney during July.
Poll 67
Poll finds support for aligning net zero, reliability and price,
Peter Martin
Responses (43)
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)
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)
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.
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 21, 2026, 2:00 pm
Australia is confronting a pivotal moment as the current oil shock reshapes expectations for growth, inflation, and labour market performance. This webinar explores how rising energy costs flow through households and businesses, the policy tradeoffs facing decision‑makers, and the divergent short‑ and long‑term pathways that could define the nation’s economic future. It highlights the key risks, structural choices, and resilience strategies that will determine how Australia navigates an era of global volatility.
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 21, 2026, 4:30 pm
🎤 Join us for our first practical, hands-on workshop for early- to mid-career economists, policy professionals, and university students.
👥🛠️ This skills-focused session is designed to help you strengthen your communication capabilities in applied economics and policy roles.
The workshop will be led by Professor David Orsmond, President of ESA NSW.
Members only - limited to 30 participants
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 21, 2026, 5:15 pm
Cost of living pressures, housing affordability, and economic uncertainty are front of mind for many Australians. The upcoming Australian Federal Budget 2026–27 will play a central role in shaping how these challenges are addressed.
Join us for a timely and engaging discussion as we unpack what the budget means for households, businesses, and the South Australian economy.
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 21, 2026, 5:30 pm
🍺🍷 Join us for a relaxed after work drinks in the CBD. No long speeches, no agenda, just an informal chance to meet new people, catch up with familiar faces, and ease into the evening with good conversation.
Come for 20 minutes or stay the whole time, whatever suits.
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 21, 2026, 5:30 pm
Andrew Leigh explores the economics of existential risk and what it will take to respond before it’s too late.
The 2026 Annual Giblin Lecture will be delivered by The Honourable Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, and Federal Member for Fenner (ACT).
In this year’s lecture, Dr Leigh explores the economics of existential risk, asking why societies are often slow to respond to catastrophic threats and what economic thinking can contribute to better prevention and preparedness.
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 21, 2026, 5:30 pm
If you are a woman in economics living in regional Queensland or too far from Brisbane to attend LinkedUp! in person, WEN Queensland is hosting its inaugural Online LinkedUp! for regional women in economics.
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 21, 2026, 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. Both members and non-members of WEN Queensland are welcome to attend this event, but WEN members will be eligible for one free drink.
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Monday May 25, 2026, 8:00 am
Join us for a special joint WEN and YEN SA breakfast event with Catherine de Fontenay from the Productivity Commission.
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday May 26, 2026, 5:30 pm
🔑Gain direct access to senior policymakers and economic leaders over four exclusive dinners:
🍸A dinner-style fireside chat series where emerging economists interview senior leaders directly.
4 Places Left
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday May 27, 2026, 12:30 pm
❓ Does the NDIS actually function like a market, or are price caps doing most of the work?
💭 With 700,000+ participants and $52bn at stake, what’s really driving outcomes: competition or price caps?
👀 Join Pelin Akyol, Research Manager at e61 Institute, to unpack the evidence
Join in-person at 123 Pitt St, Sydney or Online
If you are a member of ESA in another state, you may join this event for free. Please email admin@esansw.org.au and ask for the Promo Code.
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 28, 2026, 11:30 am
Join Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission and colleagues from the Productivity Commission as they discuss
Australia’s productivity growth has stalled since 2016, threatening future prosperity. Join Productivity Commission Chair Danielle Wood and colleagues from the Productivity Commission as they speak on practical, incremental policy actions needed to revive productivity. Their discussion is structured around five key pillars: boosting economic dynamism, strengthening workforce skills, leveraging data and digital technologies, improving efficiency in care sectors, and accelerating the shift to cheaper, cleaner energy.
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday May 28, 2026, 5:30 pm
From: Australian Capital Territory
CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS: WOMEN IN ECONOMICS ( SPEED ) MENTORING
The Women in Economics Network ACT Branch is thrilled to invite you to attend our upcoming speed mentoring event on Thursday 28 May 2026.
The event connects early to mid-career women economists and students with mentors from across the public service, private sector and academia.
This is a free, in-person only event.
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Date: Monday Jun 1, 2026, 12:00 am
For a fifth year, NSW WEN will host its writing competition as part of the Credible Economist blog series.
✨ All entrants will have their articles published as part of the series, and prizes will be awarded to articles that best fit the evaluation criteria.
✨ We invite early career economists, university students and high school students to submit an original article on an economics topic of their choosing.
✨ Your work will be read by members of the Women in Economics Network (WEN), which includes leading economists, CEOs and senior policy and business leaders, giving you valuable exposure and the chance to build your profile within the profession.
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Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Tuesday Jun 2, 2026, 10:00 am
Ian Harper AO, Non‑Executive Member of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Monetary Policy Board, will discuss current economic conditions and the economic outlook. The address will be followed by a Q&A session, inviting discussion and perspectives on how monetary policy and evolving global economic conditions affect the community, and the considerations informing the Board’s decisions.
For further details please visit the event website here.
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Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Tuesday Jun 2, 2026, 5:30 pm
The Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research and Department of Economics extend a warm invitation to hear Professor Meredith Fowlie, University of California, Berkely present the 2026 Downing Public Lecture - The Price of Power: Electricity Pricing for a Cleaner and Fairer Energy Future.
For further details please visit the event website here.
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Event Type: Partner Event
Date: Thursday Jun 4, 2026, 5:30 pm
From: Australian Capital Territory
Alison Booth - Book Launch
Uneven Rewards: Milestones in Labour Economics
Join Alison as her book is launched by the ANU Research School of Economics with Professor Martine Mariotti as MC, and Professor Bruce Chapman giving the launch address.
This is a free event, but reservations are essential.
Please RSVP with your name and telephone number via rsvp@thestreet.org.au. by Tuesday 2 June
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Jun 17, 2026, 8:30 am
🚀 This flagship event brings together leading economists, policymakers and industry experts to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the economy.
✨ Moving beyond the hype, the conference examines AI’s real impacts on productivity, jobs, markets and public policy offering clear insights into who stands to gain, what’s at risk, and how to respond to one of the most significant economic shifts underway.
🍺🍸 Connect with peers and industry leaders throughout the day, and over networking drinks at this in-person event
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Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Jun 17, 2026, 5:30 pm
From: Australian Capital Territory
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Economic Society of Australia with the publication of the Centennial History of the Economic Society of Australia, by Dr Alex Millmow.
An Evolving Record : A Cenntennial History of the Economic Society of Australia
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