Latest News
An Evolving Record
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 - Hold the Date
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.
Up-skilling is the best way to boost productivity: leading economists
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)
The Economic Record: From infancy to lusty stripling
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.
Awards 2025
A number of prestigious awards were bestowed upon worthy economists at ACE2025 which held in Sydney during July.
Economists eye costs of a failed energy transition
Poll 67
Poll finds support for aligning net zero, reliability and price,
Peter Martin
Responses (996)
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)
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
Tas Behavioural Lab Round Table
Event Type: Partner Event
Date: Friday Mar 13, 2026, 5:00 pm
Hobart Round Table
Tasmanian Behavioural Lab is inviting all ESA Tasmania members to join them at their March Behavioural Roundtable, bringing together members of both communities for an exchange of research and practice.
The March Special guest is Prof Uwe Dulleck, a behavioural economist and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Government and Law at the University of Canberra.
No need to sign up or book, you can simply turn up! Come and hang out with a bunch of other people who love economics, behavioural science and its applications.
For more information on the tasbenet and their great work please go to https://www.utas.edu.au/research/institutes-and-centres/tasmanian-behavioural-lab or check out their LinkedIn Group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14248741/
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WEN: Launching your career in Economics
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Monday Mar 16, 2026, 6:00 pm
From: Australian Capital Territory
WEN ACT : Launching your career in Economics
You are invited to join ACT Women in Economics (WEN) at ANU on Monday 16 March 2026 6-8pm at the Fred Gruen Room, H.W. Arndt Building 25A, the Research School of Economics.
This is an in person event only.
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Public Economics Forum - Affordable Specialist Care
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Tuesday Mar 17, 2026, 12:00 pm
This Public Economics Forum, hosted by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, will showcase the latest Policy Issue of The Australian Economic Review on the topic of affordable specialist care, fee setting, and health equity. This forum is dedicated to non-GP medical specialists and the discussion aims to inform federal health reforms to ensure all Australians can access affordable, high-quality specialist care.
Join us for lunch and contribute to this vital discourse on affordable specialist care.
For further details and registration please click here.
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Eminent Speaker Series: Prof. Jesse Rothstein - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Mar 17, 2026, 1:00 pm
How do neighborhoods and firms affect intergenerational mobility?
Children’s incomes tend to resemble their parents', a relationship that is particularly pronounced in higher-inequality societies like the United States. However, the mechanisms behind this intergenerational earnings transmission are not well understood. We use a new data resource to study intergenerational economic transmission in the U.S., focusing on two potentially important factors: neighborhoods and firms.
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Ted Evans Public Policy Lecture featuring Dr Andrew Leigh MP
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Mar 17, 2026, 5:15 pm
ESA QLD, in partnership with theMcKell Institute and QUT, is delighted to announce that the 2026 Ted Evans Public Policy lecture will be delivered by Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury. The lecture is in honour of the late, great Queensland economist Ted Evans AC, former Secretary to the Treasury.
Dr Leigh will speak on the topic: "Rethinking Economic Foundations in an AI World."
The lecture will be held in Room Three Sixty at QUT, Gardens Point, with guests invited to arrive from 5.30 pm for canapes and drinks prior to the commencement of the lecture by 6 pm.
To help cover costs of pre-lecture catering and minimise no-shows, we need to impose a modest charge on lecture attendance of $10 for ESA QLD members and $20 for non-members.
ESA QLD is grateful to the McKell Institute for partnering with us to deliver this important lecture.
Sorry: Bookings are now closed
View...Economic Society of Australia (WA Branch) Student Sundowner
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Mar 18, 2026, 5:30 pm
This event is primarily for ESA student members and provides an excellent opportunity to meet fellow students, connect with economists, and expand your professional network in a relaxed setting. All ESA members and non-members are also welcome to attend. Canapés will be served and drinks may be purchased at the bar.
View...International Women's Day Event - Speaker: Swee-Hoon Chuah
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Mar 18, 2026, 5:30 pm
Speaker: Swee-Hoon Chuah
To celebrate International Women's Day ESA Tas and WEN Tas are hosting a joint event at the new UTAS building. The event will feature a talk from Professor Chuah, followed by nibbles, drinks and an opportunity to connect.
Professor Chuah will be presenting on her recent work on Intra-Household Power, Behavioural Frictions and Public Policy Design: Evidence from Maternal Health in Timor-Leste.
Focuses on the question Why do utilisation gaps persist even when services are available and subsidised? Drawing on fieldwork and policy collaboration in Timor-Leste, this talk examines maternal health as a case study in intra-household decision-making and behavioural frictions within public systems. It argues that supply-side interventions often under-specify household bargaining, trust, and the transaction costs embedded in real-world service use. Bringing a behavioural economics lens to public policy design, the discussion considers how policy can be structured around socially embedded decision environments rather than abstract models of choice.
(To get to The Branch, enter through the front door, take a right to the East Wing, and go the the end of the hall - we will have signs/someone to assist)
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4th PhD Summer Institute in International Trade & Industrial Organisation
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Thursday Mar 19, 2026, 9:00 am
The 4th PhD Summer Institute in International Trade & Industrial Organisation (PhDSI 2026) will be hosted by Deakin Business School, Deakin University on 19th March 2026 in Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
For further details please click here.
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Young Economists Network (YEN): After Work Drinks in March
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Mar 19, 2026, 5:30 pm
The ESA and Young Economists Network (YEN) invites you to After Work Drinks in March
Join us for a relaxed after work drinks in the CBD on Thursday 19 March. 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.
We are keeping numbers small to help conversations flow, so registrations are encouraged to ensure we have space.
We look forward to seeing you at our first After Work drinks of the year!
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YE Network: Careers in Economics
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Monday Mar 23, 2026, 6:30 pm
From: Australian Capital Territory
ESA YP Lawn Bowls
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Mar 24, 2026, 5:30 pm
Join us for after-work drinks and a discussion featuring young economists and experts as we explore public transport pricing in Australia.
This event will be a great opportunity to mingle with fellow young economists, expand your professional circle, and enjoy a delightful evening in good company.
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The Trump Administration’s Tariffs: A Policy Primer
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Mar 25, 2026, 12:30 pm
Tariffs are back. After decades in the policy wilderness, tariffs are now front-page news.
Join Professor David Orsmond as he explores the new arguments for protectionism, how they compare with conventional economic thinking and what Australia should do to respond in this uncertain global trade climate.
Join in-person at 123 Pitt St, Sydney or Online. Please let us know how you plan to attend when registering.
The timing of this event is AEDT (SYD/CBR/MEL)
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Young Economists' Network CGE Modelling Workshop
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Mar 25, 2026, 6:30 pm
Register for the WA Young Economists Network (WA YEN) CGE Modelling workshop delivered by Curtin University PhD Candidate Zac Muscat on Wednesday March 23 2026 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in Computer Lab 402.231, Building 402, Curtin University.
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Young Economists Social Event Oche
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Mar 26, 2026, 6:00 pm
Come join your fellow Young Economists for a few rounds of darts at Oche. For $20, you’ll get two hours of gaming, food, and drinks.
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YE Network: The many sides of Intergenerational equity
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Mar 31, 2026, 5:30 pm
From: Australian Capital Territory
Quandaries of the Tax System
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Mar 31, 2026, 5:30 pm
Join Evan for a focused examination of the key structural weaknesses in Australia’s tax system. The presentation will outline the nation’s reliance on personal income tax, the limited diversification of the tax base, and the distributional effects that favour wealth accumulation while placing greater pressure on lower‑income earners.
Drawing on behavioural, demographic and generational insights, Evan will provide a clear assessment of how current tax settings shape economic behaviour and intergenerational outcomes. This session offers a grounded perspective on how the system functions beyond headline figures.
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Society for Experimental Finance Asia-Pacific Conference 2026
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Wednesday Apr 8, 2026, 9:00 am
The Department of Banking and Finance in the Monash Business School is pleased to invite you to attend our conference, bringing together researchers in experimental and behavioral finance for a focused one-day program. The conference will feature Professor Hazel Bateman as keynote speaker, alongside presentations of cutting-edge research by scholars from across the region.
This event provides a dedicated platform for sharing new ideas, discussing innovative methodologies, and fostering collaboration within the experimental and behavioral finance community.
For further details and registration please click here.
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NSW Treasury Distinguished Speaker David Hensher AM
Date: Thursday Apr 9, 2026, 1:00 pm
NSW Treasury and Economic Society of Australia NSW invite you to a Distinguished Speaker seminar on road user charge reform, presented by David Hensher.
Following a High Court of Australia ruling on Victoria’s EV charge and growing concern over declining fuel excise revenue, national momentum for reform is building. This session explores practical pathways for road pricing reform in Australia, with insights from international experience.
Join us to hear directly from one of Australia’s most experienced economic thinkers.
Attend in person or online. Please select your preference when registering. Networking opportunities will follow for in-person attendees.
In-person places are limited and will move to online-only once capacity is reached, so early registration is encouraged. Online registrants will receive a link closer to the event date.
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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.
