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)Events
Alexander Hijzen - OECD LinkEED 2.0 Initiative - ONLINE ONLY
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Sep 9, 2026, 4:00 pm
You are invited to join us for this Eminent Speaker Series afternoon webinar, taking place via Zoom on Wednesday 9th September. Alexander Hijzen's presentation will focus on the OECD LinkEED 2.0 initiative which seeks to promote cross-country research and policy analysis using linked employer-employee data.
View...YE Network: APS Careers Panel
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Sep 23, 2026, 6:30 pm
The Young Economist Network and the Research School of Economics, ANU invites you to attend a panel discussion with representatives from Treasury, the Department for Employment and Workplace Relations and the Productivity Commission.
This is a free, in person only event.
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...Book launch: Waves of Plenty
Event Type: Partner Event
Date: Monday Sep 28, 2026, 6:00 pm
Mark Cully will be in conversation with Professor Alan Gamlen on Mark's new book Waves of Plenty: Immigration and the Making of Australia, the definitive story of how immigration made Australia. This is part of the ANU's Meet the Author series.
Many Australians can trace family journeys to new lives in Australia. In this landmark work, Mark Cully tells the full story of immigration to Australia, from pre-colonial origins through colonisation, the gold rushes, the post-war immigration boom, the end of the White Australia policy, and the modern era of unbound temporary migration.
YE Network: Economics in the pub - UC
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Wednesday Sep 30, 2026, 5:30 pm
The Young Economist Network invites you to attend a night co-hosted by the UC Business Society.
Our guest speakers are Dr Kirsten Sobeck and Stephen Bartos speaking about taxes and tax reforms.
This is a free, in-person event.
View...
YE Network: Economics in the pub - ANU
Event Type: ESA Event
Date: Tuesday Oct 6, 2026, 6:30 pm
The Young Economist Network invites you to attend a fun night of discussions with our guest speaker Bob Breunig, discussing whether young people really have it tough,and if so, what can we do about it.
This is a free event for our YE members. Non-members $2.20
View...
Welcome & Our Objectives
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.
