Restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to affect Australian workers at levels not seen since the early 1990s.  What are likely to be the impacts of the current economic crisis on different segments of the Australia labour market? What structural labour market issues are likely to emerge? And what are the implications for economic recovery and the taxation system? Listen as Professor Jeff Borland (University of Melbourne) and Professor Robert Breunig (ANU)  discuss these issues and more during this ESA National Webinar.

Shane Wright (Age/SMH) will lead a panel of academic and policy experts in analysing the fiscal response to the COVID crisis by Australian governments. Have governments done enough to respond to the economic fallout from the crisis? Where to from here? And how will we pay for it?

The worst case economic scenarios formulated when COVID-19 hit our shores earlier this year are now thankfully are being ruled out.  As our economy moves through the various stages of reopening, what are macroeconomists thinking now? By how much will GDP fall and unemployment rise? What other indicators should economists also be focusing on?

We talked to leading economists, Felicity Emmett, Kaixin Owyong and Su-Lin Ong to get their read on the outlook for the coming 12 months.  The session was moderated by Elysse Morgan.

This WEN webinar was organised by the ACT WEN Branch as part of the ESA/WEN National Seminar Series.

Hear author Professor Stephanie Kelton in discussion of her New York Times bestselling debut book, The Deficit Myth, in conversation with ANZ Chief Economist Richard Yetsenga. A leading thinker and internationally-recognised advocate of modern monetary theory, Professor Kelton’s work has sparked debate in economic, financial and political circles across the globe.

The webinar provided the Bank’s analysis of the extensive responses it has made to the pandemic.  These extend well beyond a reduction in the cash rate to include: a preparedness to buy government bonds in whatever quantities are needed to achieve a target yield on government bonds; introduction of a Term Funding Facility for authorised deposit taking institution; using open market operations to provide plenty of liquidity in financial markets; and bond purchases to promote smooth functioning of the market for government securities. 

See the Young Economist Network, with teams led by Gigi Foster and Brendan Coates, debating the proposition

'The Federal Government's Job Keeper & Job Seeker Programs should be extended in their current form beyond the end of September 2020 to allow for continued economic ​recovery’. 

View the Economic Society of Australia's presentation by Saul Eslake titled ’The Economic Impact of the Covid-19 Epidemic’.

In this presentation, Saul discussed the spread of COVID-19 and the extent of the resulting economic shutdowns. He provided commentary on how the economies of Australia’s major trading partners have been affected, and then provided a more detailed look at the impact on the Australian economy.  Saul outlined some examples of the use of ‘high frequency’ data to track the performance of economies and to compare the differing impacts of COVID-19 on the states.  Saul also compared the ‘generosity’ of the fiscal and monetary support across households and businesses.

Listen to our expert panel from the public sector and academia as they discuss women’s financial literacy and why it needs to improve, particularly in the current context - with women’s economic wellbeing disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Student enrolment numbers in economics have starkly declined in Australian high schools over recent decades. Furthermore, diversity among economics students on the basis of gender and socioeconomic background has also declined during this time. These statistics prompt us to ask what has contributed towards these trends? Link to survey or download PDF

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critically important role and responsibility of leaders in guiding society towards a collective goal. Much attention has been placed on heads of government worldwide, and comparing the relative effectiveness of their leadership styles and handling of the crisis situation. Against this backdrop of unfolding world events, this webinar will analyse what can we learn about leadership from this current health and economic crisis.  We will be joined by Professor Dana Born (Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and retired Brigadier General of the US Air Force) and Sue Morphet (President of Chief Executive Women).

The late Ted Evans, like many of his generation, understood innately that economic policy-making affects people’s lives in more fundamental ways than numbers can ever capture. In this lecture, Ian Harper will draw on his extensive policy experience in financial regulation, wages policy, competition policy and, most recently, monetary policy during the pandemic to discuss the ways in which his own approach to good economic policy-making has been shaped by Ted’s example in keeping one eye on how the policy advice translates into the lives of ordinary people.

Have you ever considered where studying economics might take you – aside from careers with the job title ‘economist’? Join our panel as they discuss their career paths and where an economics degree has taken them (so far!). The SA Women in Economics Network (WEN) is very pleased to host this webinar as part of the national seminar program with the Economics Society of Australia (ESA).

Gross Domestic Product, while used so often, has long been criticised as a less than perfect measure of economic well-being. Alternative measures have been proposed to better reflect of societal well-being, and more recently, conventional measures of GDP are being re-examined to incorporate the growing importance of online economic transactions and globalisation. The webinar speakers will brought their experience and insights to the important issue of measuring economic well-being.

This event coincided with Social Sciences Week.

2020 Young Economist Address: On the Young and Economists in the Covid Era and ESA National Awards

Behavioural economics has cemented its place as an important discipline within the broader economics profession. It also follows a long tradition of economists borrowing from other fields of study. While economics has historically had strong links with political science, maths and data science; behavioural economics has opened the door to drawing on insights from neuroscience, psychology, sociology and anthropology.

What are the consequences and outlook for global trade and investment and for Australia in the context COVID-19?

Watch to the discussion between Jenny Gordon (@DFAT Chief Economists), Heather Cotching (Acting Chief Economist, Austrade) and Kim Mundy (Director, International Economics and Currency Strategy, CBA), hosted by Lisa Elliston (Australian Treasury).

In this presentation, Joshua Gans reflects on the lessons learnt from the different ways in which Covid-19 has been managed in different countries and how key economic principals can be applied to deciding on the effective health and economic policy response to pandemics.  These lessons will be important in more effective responses to any future pandemics.

Governor of the RBA, Philip Lowe, presented to over 500 ESA members on the topic of "The Labour Market and Monetary Policy".  If you missed this address you can catch up here.

Reconciliation Australia's theme for 2021, "More than a word", highlights the need to convert awareness into action.

"For reconciliation to be effective, it must involve truth-telling, and actively address issues of inequality, systemic racism and instances where the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are ignored, denied or reduced."

Co-hosted by the ESA, WEN and Charles Darwin University (CDU), this event showcased recent contributions to research by economists in Australia on issues affecting the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as learning from the expertise of members of Australia’s Indigenous community.

Despite a recession and a global pandemic, Australian house prices continue to reach new highs. How did we get here? Will today’s young Australians ever be able to afford to buy a house? What are the implications for economic and social outcomes? And what might be the policy changes that could make a difference? Our panel of expert economists will tackle one of the most pressing questions for Australia: how can we make houses more affordable?

Join Saul Eslake, Nicki Hutley, Brenan Coates (Grattan Institute) and moderator Madeleine Morris (ABC Breakfast) to be part of the discussion.

Growing numbers of often single older women are facing uncertain economic futures. This seminar will explore the emerging situation and public policy responses that can reduce the number of older women experiencing poverty.  Join our panel members who will present on some of the challenges confronting older women. This online lunchtime seminar will be co-hosted by WEN and ESA - timing is AEST. 

The Young Economist Network's team debaters were asked: ''Given the better than expected economic recovery within the Australia housing sector in recent months, should the Federal Government look to implement measures (including those of a policy, regulatory, etc. nature) to lower the volume of new investment housing loans/credit to help improve housing affordability and assist in the achievement of more equitable housing and overall economic outcomes?'

The ACT Branch of the Women in Economics Network is pleased to host a webinar on the gender impact of COVID-19, featuring four contributors from September’s Special Issue of the Australian Journal of Labour Economics. Their research provides early analysis on some of the key economic issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and explores gender issues raised by the pandemic both directly in the labour market and indirectly through its effects on particular aspects of economic and social life. The panel will be facilitated by Linda Ward, ACT Chair of the Women in Economics Network, and will feature four panellists who were contributors to this Special Issue of the Australian Journal of Labour Economics.

Navigating an Uncertain Future: Is Australia up to meeting the challenges and grasping the opportunities that await?

As Australia looks to rebuild after the health and economic devastation associated with the COVID pandemic, Martin Parkinson will explore some of the challenges and opportunities the nation will need to navigate. Join the latest instalment in the Ted Evans Public Lecture Series as Martin Parkinson discusses:

The rise of digital platforms has come with many benefits for consumers and business, but also poses new regulatory challenges. Following the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (the ACCC) Digital Platforms Inquiry Final Report, Australia has seen significant recent discussion on the role of privacy and data security, as well as the bargaining power imbalances between Australian news media businesses and major platforms such as Google and Facebook. Our webinar speakers brought their experience and insights to the important issue of regulating digital platforms.

This event has been held as part of Social Sciences Week.