Latest News
ESA National Awards, 2026
A number of prestigious awards were bestowed upon worthy economists at ACE2026, which this year was held in Canberra during July.
Vale Emeritus Professor John Nevile,
John was one of Australia’s most distinguished economists, with an international reputation. He made outstanding contributions and pioneering work across numerous fields, including developing the first econometric model of the Australian economy, making significant contributions to our understanding of fiscal policy and of growth theory, as well as his fundamental insights into labour markets and into the causes of and cures for unemployment.
Productivity in Federal Budget
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 (46)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.
Book Reviews: Paul Oslington | Leonora Risse
ACE 2026
ACE 2026 was held in Canberra, ACT from 7-10 July 2026 at University of Canberra and covered a full range of topical economic issues. It was targeted at economists in academe, government and business and covered 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 featured 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.
Economists eye costs of a failed energy transition
Poll 67
Poll finds support for aligning net zero, reliability and price,
Peter Martin
Responses (43)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
Eminent Speaker Series: Prof. Leah Boustan - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Jul 22, 2026, 8:00 am
Where are the streets of gold? Intergenerational mobility of immigrants across destination countries.
This talk will introduce patterns for intergenerational mobility of the children of immigrants across fifteen destination countries. In most destinations, the daughters of immigrants experience higher mobility than daughters of locals. Sons of immigrants enjoy an advantage in Anglosphere destinations (including Australia) but not in continental Europe.
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Innovation Series | AI Innovation to Impact
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Wednesday Jul 22, 2026, 5:00 pm
Exploring how AI is changing the way people, industries and communities work.
For further details please visit the event website here.
View...WEN SA mid-career event
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Jul 22, 2026, 5:30 pm
WEN SA invites you to this mid-career event, bringing together economists to share insights, experiences, and perspectives on navigating career transitions, professional growth, and opportunities at the mid-career stage.
View...25th GS Watson Public Lecture: John Maynard Keynes
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Wednesday Jul 22, 2026, 5:30 pm
A free public lecture exploring the life, mathematics and ideas of John Maynard Keynes, presented by Professor Terence Mills.
For further details please visit the event website here.
View...2026 Corden Public Lecture: The Hidden Cost of Buying Local
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Wednesday Jul 22, 2026, 5:30 pm
2026 Corden Public Lecture: The Hidden Cost of Buying Local: Public Procurement and Job Creation.
Presented by Professor Matilde Bombardini - Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley.
For further details and registration please click here.
View...Melbourne Empirical Trade Conference
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Thursday Jul 23, 2026, 12:00 am
Departments of Economics at Monash University and University of Melbourne jointly organize the Melbourne Empirical Trade Conference which will take place in Melbourne, Australia. This is a sister conference to EIIT, EITI, RMET, and SETC. Economists specializing in empirical international economics will present their latest research at this meeting. These conferences are offered under the rubric of the Forum for Research on Empirical International Trade.
For further details and to register please visit the event website here.
View...AfterWork Drinks Papers in the Pub 23rd July
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Jul 23, 2026, 5:30 pm
Join us for Papers in the Pub in July; brought to you by The Young Economists Network (YEN)
Hear about new research and share a drink with old and new friends
For the first of our Papers in the Pub series, Dominic Behrens (The CIE), Matthew Maltman and Theo Gibbons (e61 Institute) will present their brand-new research: What Local Land Use Reform Does, and Doesn’t, Do.
Drink on arrival for the first 20 people! You must register first.
View...Monash Winter Finance Conference 2026
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Friday Jul 24, 2026, 8:45 am
The Department of Banking and Finance at Monash Business School is delighted to announce details of our fourth Winter Finance Conference, bringing together leading academics and researchers to explore key developments in finance.
For further details please visit the event website here.
View...WEN Book Club -July
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Monday Jul 27, 2026, 5:30 pm
From: Australian Capital Territory
Imagine reading a book and then getting to grill the author (nicely) over a drink and snacks.
That’s the WEN book club for July – the Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh MP, with The Shortest History
of Economics, live and in the room!
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ESA YP Trivia Night
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Jul 30, 2026, 5:30 pm
Join the ESA Young Professionals for a winter trivia night at ACIL Allen's Melbourne office. This is our mid-year chance to bring early career economists together for an evening of friendly competition, conversation, and light refreshments.
View...Introduction to the HILDA Survey - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Tuesday Aug 4, 2026, 1:30 pm
This 2.5 hour workshop provides an introduction to the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. It will be run via Zoom or Teams. The training is free to attend but registration is essential.
For further details please visit the event website here.
View...WEN: Eminent Economist Coffee Catch Up
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Aug 6, 2026, 7:45 am
The Women in Economics Network in Victoria is excited to extend a warm invitation to our Eminent Economist coffee meet-up in August. This is a chance for members to catch up over a cup of coffee and meet fellow friends and economists, including this month's eminent economist, Catherine de Fontenay, Commissioner at the Productivity Commission.
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Eminent Economist Coffee Catch Up
Date: Thursday Aug 6, 2026, 7:45 am
The Women in Economics Network in Victoria is excited to extend a warm invitation to our Eminent Economist coffee meet-up in August. This is a chance for members to catch up over a cup of coffee and meet fellow friends and economists, including this month’s eminent economist, Catherine de Fontenay, Commissioner at the Productivity Commission.
View...Introduction to the HILDA Survey - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Thursday Aug 6, 2026, 10:00 am
This 2.5 hour workshop provides an introduction to the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. It will be run via Zoom or Teams. The training is free to attend but registration is essential.
For further details please visit the event website here.
View...Application for WEN (SA) Mentoring Program, 2026-27 now OPEN
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Aug 6, 2026, 5:30 pm
Applications for WEN South Australia mentoring programme, 2026–27
View...Money Moves: Navigating Life's Pivotal Decisions
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Wednesday Aug 12, 2026, 5:30 pm
This is the in-person finale of our two-part series with the Women in Management student club, following part one on personal finance - taking you from the fundamentals of managing your money to the strategic decisions that shape a career and a life.
For further details please visit the event website here.
View...2026 Tasmanian Economic Forum - State Debt: Blessing or Curse?
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Friday Aug 21, 2026, 8:30 am
Tasmania's premiere one-day conference featuring leading economists and discussion of current state issues through an economic lens.
The Tasmanian Economic Forum returns with the theme State Debt: Blessing or Curse?, bringing together leading voices to examine one of today’s most pressing policy challenges. Featuring insights from the Productivity Commission, prominent economists and industry leaders from across Tasmania, the forum will explore the role of state debt in shaping economic growth, productivity, fiscal sustainability, and long-term prosperity.
The Tasmanian Economic Forum is the Economic Society of Australia (Tasmania Branch)’s flagship event, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and the broader community to better understand and help shape Tasmania’s economic future.
Forum price not only includes amazing discussions but also coffee/tea to start to your day, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea!
Registrations close midday 7 August 2026.
Group booking prices are available for 8+ people ($120 per person)
If you experience any issues purchasing a ticket, please email admin@esatas.org.au
View...Lunch with Dr Claude Lopez
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Friday Aug 28, 2026, 12:15 pm
WEN are pleased to invite you to a special lunch event with Dr Claude Lopez, Head of the Economic Research Department at the Reserve Bank of Australia.
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