Past Events
Shann Memorial Lecture
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Sep 3, 2025, 4:00 pm
In memory of Edward Shann, we celebrate the 60th Shann Memorial Lecture, one of Australia's longest-running public lectures on economic policy.
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Cost Benefit Analysis for fun and profit - an update
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Sep 3, 2025, 12:30 pm
Cost Benefit Analysis is the preferred tool for economic evaluation within government and for supporting evidence based decisions.
This talk will give a non-technical overview of recent CBA developments, issues, guidance and practice in NSW, Australia and overseas - including the emerging role for AI.
It is a teaser for people interested in attending the CBA Forum 2025 on Sept 23rd and a consolation prize for anyone, perhaps still just CBA curious, who cannot attend.
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Replacing Corporate Income Tax with a Cashflow Tax - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Sep 2, 2025, 12:30 pm
Join us for a compelling conversation with Craig Emerson, renowned economist and former Minister for Trade, on the case for introducing a cashflow tax in Australia.
In 2020, Craig co-authored a landmark paper exploring how replacing Corporate Income Tax with a Cashflow Tax could unlock stronger investment incentives and economic resilience. This reform idea has recently been spotlighted by the Productivity Commission as a key lever for building a more dynamic and future-ready economy.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand from one of Australia’s leading policy thinkers on a bold alternative to business taxation.
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Walk, Talk, and Think Like an Economist
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Friday Aug 29, 2025, 7:30 am
Kickstart your day with fresh air, fresh ideas, and fresh coffee! Join us for a relaxed river walk followed by coffee and conversation with economists and economics enthusiasts from all walks of life. Whether you’re a student, an early-career professional, or just curious about how economics shapes the world, this is a great way to stay healthy, grow your network, and exchange ideas — all before 9 am.
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View...2025 Annual Dinner
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Aug 27, 2025, 6:30 pm
You are cordially invited to attend the Economic Society of Australia (WA Branch) Dinner after the AGM on Wednesday 27th August 2025 at The University Club, University of Western Australia
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The Centennial History of the Economic Society of Australia
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Aug 27, 2025, 5:30 pm
Come celebrate and toast the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Economic Society of Australia.
Alex Millmow, President of ESA Victoria Branch, will discuss some of the findings of his book on The centennial history of the Economic Society.
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View...2025 Annual General Meeting
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Aug 27, 2025, 5:30 pm
You are cordially invited to attend the Economic Society of Australia (WA Branch) Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 27th August 2025 at The University Club, University of Western Australia
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NSW Treasury & ESA NSW - Distinguished Speaker Event: Is it time to bring back a price on Carbon?
Date: Wednesday Aug 27, 2025, 1:00 pm
NSW Treasury and the Economic Society of Australia invites you to a Distinguished Speaker event with Rod Sims AO
We are pleased to invite you to attend our next Distinguished Speaker event, featuring one of Australia's leading public policy expert, Rod Sims AO. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on carbon pricing - why it remains the most economically efficient tool for reducing emissions, and how it could be reintroduced into the policy landscape in Australia.
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In Conversation with Rod Maddock - Young Economist Event - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Aug 26, 2025, 11:30 am
The Productivity Commission Seminar Team is organising an event which may be of interest to young economists, who are invited to join this session via Teams.
Rod Maddock is one of very few economists who has worked across major corporates, government, universities, and lobbyists. He has pursued economics from econometrics to macroeconomics, and then to economic history, economic development, regulatory economics, public policy, finance, and regional planning.
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WEN: Coffee Meet-Up
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Aug 26, 2025, 7:45 am
The Women in Economics Network in Victoria is excited to extend a warm invitation to our monthly coffee meet-up. This is a chance for members to catch up informally over a cup of coffee and meet fellow friends and economists.
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The role of business visits in fostering R&D investment
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Aug 20, 2025, 12:30 pm
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The Future of Money - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Aug 20, 2025, 12:00 pm
Rapid changes in technology and in the preferences of firms and households are features of the Australian economy, nowhere else more so than in the payments system. How are central banks, including the RBA, thinking about the future of money, both digital and physical cash? What could be the role of central bank digital currencies, stablecoins and tokenised bank deposits in supporting innovation, and what are the financial stability risks? And how could the demand for physical cash evolve in the future?
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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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ESA YP After-work drinks
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Aug 13, 2025, 5:30 pm
Join us for after-work drinks and a discussion featuring young economists and experts as they we explore the state of productivity in Australia.
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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Data-driven policy innovation: big data, better data, and AI
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Aug 13, 2025, 12:00 pm
The ESA Eminent Speaker Series A conversation with the University of Chicago's Professor Jens Ludwig, moderated by Tim Moore (Purdue).
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Not all skills shortages are created equal
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Aug 13, 2025, 5:30 am
From: Australian Capital Territory
ESA ACT invites you to hear an enlightening talk by David Turvey, PSM,
Executive Director, Jobs and Skills Australia
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2025 Annual Dinner and AGM with Alex Millmow
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Aug 7, 2025, 5:45 pm
Join us for our Annual General Meeting along with a Special Address on the Origins of the Tasmanian Branch
We are excited to welcome special guest speaker, Alex Millmow, who will delve into the early history of the Tasmanian Branch of the Economic Society of Australia. Discover how this small but significant chapter played a vital role in shaping the direction and impact of the broader Society in its formative years. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect on the Branch’s legacy and its lasting influence on economic thought and collaboration across Australia.
Nominations for the Committee
Are you interested in the development and organisation of events for the Economic Society? If you answered yes, consider nominating for the Committee.
The Committee and Executive Roles (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary) will be voted in at the upcoming AGM. You can nominate to join the Committee or an Executive Role in advance, via email (admin@esatas.org.au), or on the night, in person. Committee members are required to hold an active ESA membership, be willing to attend regular meetings and assist in the organisation of events.
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Developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economics students
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Aug 6, 2025, 5:30 pm
Join us for the launch of an exciting new animation designed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, demystifying economics and showcasing its relevance to communities. This engaging resource aims to inspire the next generation of young minds to consider economics as a pathway for creating positive change.
The event will showcase data on Indigenous enrolments in economics, feature a screening of the animation, followed by a panel discussion with educators, economists, and community leaders. The discussion will focus on strategies to support and encourage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to pursue economics.
Together, we’ll discuss ways to remove barriers, spark curiosity, and create meaningful opportunities for young people in this field. This is an opportunity to connect with like-minded educators, policymakers, and community advocates who are passionate about empowering the next generation. We’d love for you to be part of this important conversation.
This event, co-organised with the University of Queensland School of Economics, is free of charge and open to non-members of the ESA QLD.
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The paradigm shift in Australian labour market policy: Balancing efficiency with equity
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Aug 6, 2025, 12:30 pm
Australia’s labour market reforms since the 1990s were aimed at prioritising business ‘efficiency’ over other policy goals. Governments gave employers increased discretion over workforce decisions relating to pay-setting, recruitment and training, and reduced the influence of trade unions and employment tribunals over these processes. These changes were seen as necessary to allow employers to adjust to an increasingly competitive business environment following the liberal economic reforms of the 1980s. In this context, this presentation will analyse the paradigm shift in Australian labour market policy since 2022 aimed at balancing business ‘efficiency’ with workforce ‘equity’. Through an analysis of changes to wage-setting and bargaining, workplace gender equality and skilled immigration, it will argue the post-1990s wave of efficiency-oriented policies produced not only ‘inequities’ including low wage growth, gender-based job undervaluation and underpayment, but also ‘inefficiencies’ including skills shortages and competitive disadvantages for compliant employers. As well as analysing the post-2022 changes, the presentation will consider possible future labour market reform options.
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Emerging Women in Economics Cocktail Event
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Jul 31, 2025, 6:00 pm
The Economic Society of Australia invites you to an inspiring evening of connection and conversation at our ‘Emerging Women in Economics’ cocktail event.
This special gathering is designed to bring together early-career women economists, students, professionals, and friends of the field for a relaxed and uplifting night of networking and idea-sharing.
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Indonesia, ASEAN, and the crisis of globalisation
Event Type: Partner Event
Date: Thursday Jul 31, 2025, 12:30 pm
From: Australian Capital Territory
Indonesia, ASEAN, and the crisis of globalisation.
A public discussion with Prof Mari Elka Pangestu and Dr M Chatib Basri.
As US tariffs and the broader weakening of the multilateral trading system impact East Asia’s economic security, ASEAN-centred forums are emerging as key platforms for coordinating regional responses to address the immediate impacts of US protectionism.
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Charting Australia’s path to a fairer and more prosperous future - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Jul 30, 2025, 12:30 pm
Recent events in the USA and Europe show how rising inequalities can fuel social division, polarisation and political instability. This serves as a stark reminder of how important it is to monitor the health of our nation and take action to avoid a similar fate. So how does Australia’s progress on key economic, social and environmental indicators compare to our peers? Where are we falling behind and what are the risks? Can we turn around the rising levels of inequality, declining investment in innovation, and persistent poverty in Australia and chart a path to a fairer and more prosperous future? Our new report card on Australia’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) helps to answer these crucial questions.
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Careers Driving Economic Development
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Jul 29, 2025, 5:30 pm
We are excited to invite you to a special panel event hosted by the Economic Society of Australia Queensland Young Economists and Economic Development Australia (EDA).
Join us for an insightful discussion featuring four panellists who are making significant contributions to the field of economic development. The facilitated discussion will cover:
- Career Journeys: Learn how our panellists navigated their paths to success in economic development.
- Early Career Insights: Discover what they wished they had known about economic development at the start of their careers.
- Impactful Work: Understand how their work is driving positive change in economic development.
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2025 Corden Lecture
Event Type: Wide/Public Interest
Date: Thursday Jul 24, 2025, 6:00 pm
Come join us for an engaging evening with Professor Paola Conconi from University of Oxford as she delivers the prestigious Corden Lecture. This in-person event promises to be enlightening and thought-provoking, covering a wide range of topics in economics and global affairs. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the leading experts in the field. Reserve your spot now!
For further details and registration please click here.
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WEN: Coffee Meet-up
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Jul 24, 2025, 7:45 am
The Women in Economics Network in Victoria is excited to extend a warm invitation to you for an informal coffee meet-up. This is a chance for members to catch up over a cup of coffee and meet fellow friends and economists, including this month's special guest, Natalia Southern, Managing Director at FTI Consulting.
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