The history of Australian economics has been attracted by distinguished contributors such as Craufurd Goodwin and Peter Groenewegen. This session considers the latest contribution to the discussion by Alex Millmow, and its significance for the challenges facing the economics profession in Australia.
This session will discuss cost benefit analysis (CBA) issues with a particular emphasis on issues relating to regulation
International Trade and Economic Growth | Major Drivers of Economic Productivity | Human Capital and the Australian Future
Nominal Income Targeting versus Inflation Targeting in Advanced and Emerging Economies | Growth, Natural Rates and Policies | Rebalancing Monetary and Fiscal Policies
Each panelist will discuss their insights on how Behavioural economics can effectively contribute to public policy. This will be followed by a more informal discussion between panelists around the topic.
Mental health is one of the major challenges facing Australia, but one which has so far been neglected by economists. In this session we would like to move beyond existing studies of the impact of mental health problems on the economy to consider incentive structures for participants in the mental health system, and how they can be improved. Well informed investments in improving incentives may have a bigger payoff for those who struggle with mental illness than investments in new medical facilities.
Catherine McGrath is a giant of the Australian media, keynote speaker, MC, writer, trainer and businesswoman. Catherine spent 30 years reporting for the ABC and SBS in both Australia and overseas and was political editor for both public broadcasters. From 1997-2016 she was a member of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery and covered her last election in 2016 as SBS Bureau Chief. These days Catherine speaks and hosts business events around the country and trains business and professional speakers. She is the founder of #WomenSpeaking a program training woman to speak in the media and at conferences, events. Catherine is the recipient of the Centenary of Federation Media for Services to Society through Journalism. She lives in Canberra.
Helen is Allianz Australia’s Chief General Manager, Corporate Governance and Conduct. Prior to joining Allianz Australia, Helen spent more than 25 years in executive roles in the Victoria and Commonwealth public sectors, culminating as head of the Victorian Public Service in the position of Secretary to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Helen takes a lead role in promoting and advocating for gender equality and diversity both within Allianz and in the community; she has a deep interest in corporate governance and conduct public policy and the arts; and enjoys an active life. In 2015 Helen was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to public administration, business and commerce and the Victorian community. Helen has a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) and a Master of Economics both from Monash University and Helen is also a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia. Helen also serves on a number of boards including Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Victorian Arts Centre Trust and the Judicial Commission of Victoria.
Penny Smith is the Deputy Head of Financial Stability Department at the Reserve Bank of Australia. Since joining the Bank in 2009, Penny has held various management positions in Financial System Group, Economic Group and Financial Markets Group. Prior to joining the Bank, Penny worked in Strategy and Research at Westpac and as a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. She has a PhD from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Western Australia. Penny is also President of the NSW Branch of the Economic Society of Australia.
Linda Ward is the First Assistant Parliamentary Budget Officer responsible for leading the Fiscal Policy Analysis Division of the Parliamentary Budget Office. A key role of her division is conducting and publishing analysis that enhances public understanding of the budget and fiscal policy settings. Prior to this, she was a senior executive at the Commonwealth Treasury, working in the Individuals and Indirect Tax Division of Revenue Group and International Policy and Engagement Division of Macroeconomic Group. Her responsibilities included overseeing Treasury’s engagement with the IMF and multilateral development banks, and representing Australia at the G20 Working Group on International Financial Architecture. Linda began her public service career at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet where she worked for several years in a range of economic policy roles. She worked as an economist at Treasury for 12 years across three Groups – Revenue Group, Fiscal Group and Macroeconomic Group. She has also worked as an economic adviser to a senior Cabinet minister and as a senior macroeconomist at BHP Billiton’s Singapore Office.Linda holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Finance from the University of Canberra, Master of Public Policy degree from Japan’s National Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), and a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Sydney/University of Western Australia. Linda is Deputy Chair of the Women in Economics Network committee (Canberra).
Danielle is the Budget Policy and Institutional Reform Program Director at the Grattan Institute. Danielle’s main research interests are tax and budget policy, intergenerational inequality and economic and political institutions. Danielle previously worked as Principal Economist and Mergers Director at the ACCC, Senior Consultant at NERA Economic Consulting, and as a Senior Research Economist at the Productivity Commission. Danielle has a Masters of Economics and a Masters in Competition Law from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Adelaide. Danielle is the National Chair of the Women in Economics Network and she sits on the Central Council for the Economic Society of Australia.
Alison Booth is Emeritus Professor of Economics at the Australian National University, an ANU Public Policy Fellow, and a published novelist.
Lynne Cockerell is a Deputy Head of the Economic Analysis Department at the Reserve Bank of Australia. The Department is responsible for monitoring and forecasting economic trends and providing monetary policy advice to the Reserve Bank Board.
Wendy’s current work is of ‘gig’ style. She has four key roles that involve finance and start ups with varied involvement.
Jenny Gordon has recently retired from the Productivity Commission, where she was the Principal Advisor Research.
Cherelle is a member of ANZ’s Research team. She analyses and forecasts the Australian economy and provides regular updates and insights on topics that are front of mind for ANZ’s clients. Cherelle has a special interest in fiscal policy and policy issues affecting the domestic outlook. Cherelle publishes regularly and presents to domestic and international clients and stakeholders. She also provides media commentary on key local economic issues.
Lynne leads the Deloitte Access Economics health economics and social policy group nationally, and is the Managing Partner of Deloitte Canberra.
Meghan Quinn commenced as Deputy Secretary, Structural Reform Group in March 2017. In this position Meghan has responsibility for providing advice to the Government on structural reform matters.
Lisa Cameron is a Professor in the Department of Econometrics at Monash University.
Denise Doiron is currently Professor of Economics at The University of New South Wales.
Felicity Emmett is the Senior Economist in the Australian Economics team at ANZ
Alexandra Heath is currently the Head of Economic Analysis Department at the Reserve Bank of Australia.
