Australian Conference of Economists 2023

The Australian Conference of Economists (ACE) 2023 will be held from the 9 - 12 July 2023 in Brisbane, Queensland. 

Our aim is to organise a conference with interest to all economists, both academic and professional. Only by a balanced approach of practice and theory can we solve the problems our society faces.

ADAM SMITH AT 300

To mark the tercentenary of the birth of Adam Smith, the School of Economics at the University of Sydney is sponsoring two events: an academic symposium, 1400–1730 Friday 26 May 2023, ('Perspectives on Adam Smith’) featuring contributions by Professor Tony Aspromourgos (Economics, University of Sydney), Professor Lisa Hill (Politics, University of Adelaide), Professor Andreas Ortmann (Economics, University of New South Wales) and Dr Matthew Smith (Economics, University of Sydney); and a Public Lecture, 1800–1930 Friday 16 June 2023 (‘Adam Smith at 300’) by Tony Aspromourgos. Fuller details and registration processes will be announced closer to the events. Preliminary inquiries may be directed to Associate Professor Graham White g.white@sydney.edu.au 

New Report by the NSW Productivity Commission and NSW Innovation & Productivity Council

A new report has just been released by the NSW Productivity Commission and NSW Innovation and Productivity Council:

"Adaptive NSW: how embracing tech could recharge our prosperity" explores how emerging technologies could enhance productivity and improve economic growth in NSW.

EES Lunch with The Hon. Wayne Swan

The Reserve Bank hosted the Society's Emerging Economist’s Series lunch on 2 November, with Wayne Swan, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Deputy Leader of the Labor Party from 2010 to 2013, and the Treasurer of Australia from 2007 to 2013 and current National President of the Australian Labor party. 

Leading economists back Federal Government action to curb rising gas and electricity prices

Poll 57

Australia’s top economists have overwhelmingly endorsed intervention to restrain gas and electricity prices, with only three of the 47 leading economists surveyed believing the best thing the government can do is to leave things to the market.

Photo credit: Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND

EES Lunch with Dr Cassandra Goldie

The Reserve Bank Boardroom again hosted the Society's Emerging Economist’s Series lunch on 24 October, with ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie sharing her perspectives on the big challenges in social policy. A passionate and inspiring advocate, Dr Goldie shared with the audience her insights on the challenges of policy formation, the impact of policy decisions on those who are disadvantaged, the key areas society needs to focus on in the future and the key characteristics that make a good economist. 

Do lockdowns and border closures serve the "greater good"?

ESA NSW Council member, Professor Gigi Foster, has recently had her latest book published, Do lockdowns and border closures serve the “greater good"? 

ESA NSW Branch AGM 2022

A Branch Council is elected each year to provide voluntary administration and manage the affairs of the Society. The Council organises regular events and seminars, engages with students and other organisations, represents the Society at conferences and meetings and advises on the strategic direction of the Society. At the Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 27 September, a new Council was elected for 2022/23. Click here to meet your newly elected Council.

Unreserved - RBA's latest release of digitised archival records

The Reserve Bank has been releasing a large volume of digitised archival records to the public through our digital archive (called Unreserved). These records span nearly 200 years of Australia’s economic, financial and social history. The latest release includes records about the work and influence of Dr HC Coombs along with additional records from the Bank’s Research Department, with much of the new information covering the period from the Bank’s ‘separation’ from the original Commonwealth Bank in 1960 through to the early 1970s.

Emerging Economist Series

The 2022 Emerging Economist Series commenced in July, with Glenn Stevens AC as our special guest.  You can read more about our lunch with Glenn Stevens AC and how you can join the remainder of the program.  Series subscribers should note that there has been a slight change to the timing of the program - the new date for lunch with Melinda Cliento is now Friday 17 November.  

Is education or immigration the answer to our skills shortage? We asked 50 economists

Poll 56

Investing in Australians’ education is far more important than immigration in resolving the nation’s skills shortages, according to leading economists surveyed in the lead-up to this week’s jobs and skills summit.

The 50 top Australian economists polled by the Economic Society of Australia and The Conversation are recognised by their peers as leaders in their fields, including economic modelling, labour markets and public policy.

Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND

Central Council Executive, 2022-2025

Following the Central Council meeting held at ACE 2022, we are pleased to confirm that Catherine de Fontenay was elected unopposed as President; Russell Ross was re-elected unopposed as Secretary; and following a secret ballot, Benedict Davies was re-elected (with 100% of the votes cast) as Treasurer.

Central Council would like to acknowledge and thank outgoing President Danielle Wood for her enormous contribution to the Society.  You can read more about Central Council's Executive here.

'It’s important not to overreact’: Australia’s top economists on how to fix high inflation

Poll 55

Australia’s top economists are divided about how to tackle ballooning inflation of 6.1% that’s forecast to climb to a three-decade high of 7.75% by the end of the year.

Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND

WEN Credible Blog Series Writing Competition - Winners Announcement

In 2022, NSW WEN hosted its inaugural writing competition as part of the Credible Economist series.

ACE 2022

Australian Conference of Economists (ACE) 2022 was held from 10 to 13 July 2022 in Hobart, Tasmania as an in-person event.  Our theme, Economics in the New Normal, sought to address the challenges that a post-pandemic world faces.

Awards 2022

A number of prestigious awards were bestowed upon worthy economists at a recent Zoom ceremony.  Read on to find out who won the 2022 ESA National Awards.

Follow us on Twitter

We are delighted to announce the launch of ESA's Twitter account.  Keep up to date with economics-related topics and be part of the conversation.