Latest News
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.
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)
ACE 2026 - Hold the Date
ACE 2026 will be held in Canberra, ACT from 7-10 July 2026 at University of Canberra and will cover a full range of topical economic issues. It is targeted at economists in academe, government and business and will cover 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 will feature plenary sessions with international speakers and concurrent sessions with domestic presenters.
Awards 2025
A number of prestigious awards were bestowed upon worthy economists at ACE2025 which held in Sydney during July.
Economists eye costs of a failed energy transition
Poll 67
Poll finds support for aligning net zero, reliability and price,
Peter Martin
Responses (996)
Economic Analysis and Policy (EAP) - Call for Editors
Economic Analysis and Policy (EAP) has improved its performance considerably since it was taken over by Elsevier back in 2014. The combination of an online-only publication strategy, together with the steady editorial guidance of the Managing Editor since 2008, has been successful in increasing the journal’s outreach and placing EAP ready for its next step: an editorial team that will be diverse and specialised at the same time.
Death of an eminent Queensland Economist
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Emeritus Professor Clem Tisdell from the School of Economics at The University of Queensland on 14 July 2022.
Demystifying Central Bank Digital Currency
The payment system is changing in profound ways around the world as individuals demand faster payments, nonbank entities are seeking a greater role in facilitating payments, and a wide range of investors appear to believe that there is a significant role for cryptocurrencies as investment and as payment instruments. As a result, the concept of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) has gained traction, with an increasing number of central banks around the world announcing efforts to explore CBDC use and designs.
The event was held on Thursday Nov 10, 2022, 5:00 pm at QUT. The video recording can be watched on our YouTube Channel.
Events
International Women's Day 2026 Event
Event Type: WEN Event
Date: Tuesday Mar 10, 2026, 5:30 pm
The Women in Economics Network (QLD Branch) is pleased to invite you to our International Women’s Day 2026 event on 10th March, featuring a keynote address by Danielle Wood on women’s economic participation.
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Eminent Speaker Series: Prof. Jesse Rothstein - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Mar 17, 2026, 1:00 pm
How do neighborhoods and firms affect intergenerational mobility?
Children’s incomes tend to resemble their parents', a relationship that is particularly pronounced in higher-inequality societies like the United States. However, the mechanisms behind this intergenerational earnings transmission are not well understood. We use a new data resource to study intergenerational economic transmission in the U.S., focusing on two potentially important factors: neighborhoods and firms.
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Ted Evans Public Policy Lecture featuring Dr Andrew Leigh MP
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Mar 17, 2026, 5:15 pm
ESA QLD, in partnership with theMcKell Institute and QUT, is delighted to announce that the 2026 Ted Evans Public Policy lecture will be delivered by Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury. The lecture is in honour of the late, great Queensland economist Ted Evans AC, former Secretary to the Treasury.
Dr Leigh will speak on the topic: "Rethinking Economic Foundations in an AI World."
The lecture will be held in Room Three Sixty at QUT, Gardens Point, with guests invited to arrive from 5.30 pm for canapes and drinks prior to the commencement of the lecture by 6 pm.
To help cover costs of pre-lecture catering and minimise no-shows, we need to impose a modest charge on lecture attendance of $10 for ESA QLD members and $20 for non-members.
ESA QLD is grateful to the McKell Institute for partnering with us to deliver this important lecture.

Young Economists Social Event Oche
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Mar 26, 2026, 6:00 pm
Come join your fellow Young Economists for a few rounds of darts at Oche. For $20, you’ll get two hours of gaming, food, and drinks.
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IEA World Congress, Belgrade
Event Type: Partner Event
Date: Monday Jun 22, 2026, 12:00 am
Welcome
Welcome to the website of the Economic Society of Australia (QLD) Inc. (i.e. ESA Queensland). ESA Queensland promotes discussion of, and debate about, economic issues and economic policies, supports the training and professional development of economists and encourages the study and teaching of economics.




