Latest News

We can and should keep unemployment below 4%, says our survey of top economists
Poll 60
Australia’s leading economists believe Australia can sustain an unemployment rate as low as 3.75% – much lower than the latest Reserve Bank estimate of 4.25% and the Treasury’s latest estimate of 4.5%.

STEM professionals in schools
The ESA Central Council and the heads of Economics departments at various Australian universities have had a number of discussions about declining enrolments in Economics and the lack of diversity in enrolments. There are low enrolments of women, but there are also low enrolments of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is largely due to the decline in the number of high schools that offer Economics as a subject. High schools in disadvantaged areas are particularly unlikely to offer Economics.

Budget 2023
Poll 59
Our panellists were asked the following 2023 budget question: "On May 9, the government delivered a budget designed, in the Treasurer's words, to strike a balance between relief, repair and restraint'. What grade would you give the budget, given that objective: A, B, C, D, E or F?"
Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

ACE 2023
The Australian Conference of Economists (ACE) 2023 was held from the 9 - 12 July 2023 in Brisbane, Queensland.
The aim was 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.
Presentations are uploaded where permission has been received.

How economists would raise $20 billion per year
Poll 58
When panellests were asked to find an extra A$20 billion per year to fund government priorities like building nuclear submarines and responding to climate change, Australia’s top economists overwhelmingly back land tax, increased resource taxes, an attack on negative gearing and extending the scope of the goods and services tax.
Photo credit by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
Responses (59)
Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study - Fellowship and Short-term Research Stays
Located in the Botanic Garden in Uppsala, the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (scas) is a
national institute for advanced study. For the academic year 2024-25 the Collegium offers residential
fellowships for senior and early-career scholars from all countries. The Collegium is also offers short-term research stays (approximately two weeks to two months) to scholars from all countries.
Events

Young Economists-ESA ACT - Public v Private
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Oct 3, 2023, 6:00 pm

Panel Discussion: Gas Price Caps - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Oct 5, 2023, 5:30 pm
Gas Price Caps: Are they meeting their short-term goal of reducing gas prices? Are they hindering longer-term goals such as achieving net zero?
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WEN professional development workshop: Communicating economics - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Monday Oct 9, 2023, 12:00 pm
Do you wish you had more opportunities to share your ideas about economics? Is there research you’ve done, a blog you’re about to write, or just a general observation about the world that could be promoted and shared to a public audience or via social media?
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Professional Members Networking Event
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Oct 19, 2023, 5:30 pm
The Economic Society of Australia (ACT) invites all their Professional Members to attend a networking event at the Commonwealth Club.
There will be a guest economist joining us to informally chat with members.
As this is a special function for Professional Members only places are limited so book early. This is a free event.
View ...WEN ACT: Annual General Meeting 2023
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Nov 9, 2023, 5:30 pm
WEN (ACT) is pleased to invite you to our Annual General Meeting on Thursday 9 Nov. If you are thinking what is an AGM like, you are welcome to come and see- also as we need members for a quorum. Food and drinks are provided. WEN AGM is 5.30-6.30pm, followed by snacks and ESA AGM starts at 7-8pm.
View ...ESA ACT: Annual General Meeting 2023
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Thursday Nov 9, 2023, 6:30 pm
ESA (ACT) is pleased to invite you to our Annual General Meeting on 9 Nov. If you are thinking what is an AGM like, you are welcome to come and see- also as we need members for a quorum. Food and drinks are provided. ESA AGM is at 7.00pm-8.00pm. Snacks are available at 6.30pm -7 pm before the meeting.
View ...Welcome
Welcome to the ACT Economic Society of Australia.
ESA ACT is one of the larger branches of the Economic Society, boasting a membership of 300+ members across a variety of sectors including the public service, academe, private and NGOs. Anyone interested in contemporary economic issues and debates is invited to join the ACT Economic Society of Australia. No special qualifications are required for membership, simply an interest in economic issues! Student members are eligible for discounted membership rates.