Latest News
Best cost of living supports

Poll 70
"Targeted to those who genuinely need it' - Top economists pick the best cost-of-living supports, by Isaac Gross, Monash University.
Australia's leading economists have picked help with school costs, rent and dental care as the most meaningful cost-of-living supports the federal government could offer.
Responses (52)ESA National Awards, 2026

A number of prestigious awards were bestowed upon worthy economists at ACE2026, which this year was held in Canberra during July.
ACE 2026

ACE 2026 was held in Canberra, ACT from 7-10 July 2026 at University of Canberra and covered a full range of topical economic issues. It was targeted at economists in academe, government and business and covered 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 featured plenary sessions with international speakers and concurrent sessions with domestic presenters.
Productivity in Federal Budget

Poll 69
'Skills, competition, infrastructure': top economists tell Chalmers what belongs in his productivity package. Top economists want Treasurer Jim Chalmers to spend his 12 May Budget fixing the supply side of the Australian economy.
Responses (46)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.
Book Reviews: Paul Oslington | Leonora Risse
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)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
Linked Up!
Event Type: WEN Event
Date: Thursday Aug 20, 2026, 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 WEN members. Both members and non-members of WEN Queensland are welcome to attend this event.
Topics: networking, economics, women in economics
View...Women in Economics LinkedUP – Online Networking Event - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Aug 20, 2026, 5:30 pm
Join us for an engaging Women in Economics online LinkedUp session, bringing together professionals, students, and alumni across the economics community. This online event is a great opportunity to connect, share insights, and expand your network in a supportive and inclusive space. Whether you’re early in your career or an experienced practitioner, all are welcome.
Regional Cost of Living Forum
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Friday Aug 28, 2026, 8:00 am
Join the Economic Society of Australia (QLD) for a half-day forum in Cairns examining the cost pressures facing regional Queensland households, small businesses and farmers. Jennifer Brownie, Coordinator of the Queensland Electricity Users Network, will open the discussion with a look at electricity costs, followed by sessions on regional CPI inflation and broader cost pressures (e.g. housing and insurance) led byFNQ economist Pete Faulkner (Consus Consultancy) and Gene Tunny, President of ESA QLD. The program brings together economists, industry groups and academic voices to unpack what's driving the cost of living and what it means for the region.
This free event runs from the morning through to a light lunch and is open to industry representatives, local businesses, farmers, students, and members of the public.
Spaces are limited — please register your interest early.
View...Young Economists Event – Economic impacts of the GST distribution system on Queensland
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Sep 16, 2026, 5:45 pm
Australia’s system of federal financial relations involves the distribution of Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue to the states and territories which provide health, education and other services to their residents.
But what are the economic impacts of the GST distribution system?
What analytical methods can be used by economists to examine this question?
View...Book launch: Power in Numbers: Australian Women in Economics
Date: Friday Sep 25, 2026, 7:15 am
We would be delighted if you could join us for breakfast at the National Press Club in Canberra to celebrate the launch of Power in Numbers: Australian Women in Economics. At the launch, ACT Women in Economics co-chair Alicia Mollaun will be in conversation with authors Catie Bradbear and Melissa Bray, as well as six of the women who are featured in the book...
View...Welcome & Our Objectives

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.









