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

Not all skills shortages are created equal
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Apr 30, 2025, 12:30 pm
This presentation explores the different types of skills shortages in Australia, using insight from Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation and Skills List (OSL), Skills Typology, and workforce shortage projections. It highlights the diverse drivers behind shortages and their implications for policy.
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Economics and Chill
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Apr 30, 2025, 5:30 pm
Economics & Chill – Our First Networking Night!
Get ready for an unforgettable evening as the Young Economists Network of South Australia proudly presents Economics & Chill – our inaugural event designed to bring together young minds passionate about economics, good conversation, and great vibes.
Whether you're a student, recent graduate, or early-career professional, this is your chance to expand your network, make meaningful connections, and meet fellow econ-enthusiasts in a relaxed, social setting. Think less lecture, more laughter – with fun games, icebreakers, and activities to keep the energy high and the conversations flowing.
Come for the economics, stay for the chill. Let’s kick things off in style and build a community that’s as engaging as it is inspiring. Don’t miss out – we can’t wait to meet you!
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The memoirs of a multi-faceted economist
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday May 6, 2025, 5:30 pm
Join us for an enlightening evening as the Economics Society of Australia Victorian Branch presents a distinguished talk by Rodney Maddock - a seasoned economist whose career spans the academic, governmental, and private sectors. With decades of hands-on experience, Rodney will share invaluable insights into the world of economics, highlighting not only the challenges but also the tremendous opportunities that arise when theory meets practice.
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FREE WORKSHOP ON CGE MODELLING
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday May 13, 2025, 6:00 pm
The WA Young Economists Network (WA YEN) have organised a free workshop which will be delivered by Zac Muscat (Curtin University PhD Candidate) on the evening of Tuesday, May 13th from 6pm to 8:30pm in Computer Lab 402.231 within Building 402 at the Curtin University Bentley Campus.
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Australian Population Trends, Prospects, Misconceptions and Economic Implications
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday May 14, 2025, 12:15 pm
Australia’s population has been growing larger and older over time. Both trends are likely to continue into the future. In this Webinar, Dr Nick Parr will discuss the long run, age-structure-related effects of changes to fertility rates, net migration numbers and age composition and mortality rates on future living standards and their sensitivity to other factors, including age-specific consumption needs of the population and social value judgements about intergenerational equity.
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Food Security: Prices, Inputs and People
Event Type: Partner Event
Date: Thursday May 15, 2025, 11:00 am
This panel event brings together a cast of experts across the many dimensions of food security at a time of heightened importance. Supply shocks from COVID-19, natural disasters, and trade wars have rocked the foundations of our economies, putting the supply of our most essential goods in jeopardy. In response, the Hon Min Julie Collins has announced support for a National Food Security Strategy, but the questions remain: what is food security? and what can we actually do to create it?
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LinkedUP! May
Date: Thursday May 15, 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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LinkedUP!
Date: Thursday May 15, 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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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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LinkedUP!
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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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.