Speeches

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2026

Address to ‘Maximizing the use of linked and integrated administrative data assets to inform government policy decision‑making’ workshop, ABS house, Belconnen, Canberra

Linking the dots

Address at Giblin Lecture, University of Tasmania

The economics of human extinction

Address to 18th annual Agile Australia conference, Melbourne Cricket Ground

From clever to competitive: lifting productivity through innovation

Address to Community Foundations Australia dinner, Melbourne

A country of community foundations

Address to the Chifley Institute Forum ‘Prosperity with purpose – how Labor governs’, Canberra

I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, and acknowledge all First Nations people present.

Address to inaugural LGBTQ+ Economists and Allies in Asia-Pacific Summit (LEAP Summit), University of Melbourne, Melbourne

A leap forward: evidence, inclusion and economic opportunity

Address to the Infoxchange Technology for Social Justice Conference 2026

Hello everyone, and thank you for the opportunity to join you, albeit virtually, for the Technology for Social Justice Conference.

Address to ‘AI in practice: Turning hype into measurable SME impact’ panel, Deakin SME Research Centre, Deakin University, Melbourne

AI for the underdog

Address to Inequality and Intergenerational Mobility Workshop, Australian National University, Canberra

Mobility is a productivity policy

Address to CPA Australia Profit for Purpose Conference 2026, Melbourne

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, and pay my respects to Elders past and p

Address to the Inaugural Blak Loungeroom National Philanthropy Conference

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which you are meeting, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, and I pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Ted Evans Lecture, Brisbane

The Ted Evans legacyIt is an honour to deliver the Ted Evans Lecture this evening.

Address at the Royal Australian Mint, Canberra

I begin with a confession.Sixty years ago, Australia came perilously close to having a currency called ‘the royal’.

Opening speech to Australian and New Zealand Industrial and Applied Mathematics Conference 2026

Opening speech to Australian and New Zealand Industrial and Applied Mathematics Conference 2026

2025

Address at the launch of Startup Muster 2025, Sydney

Taking the pulse of Australia’s startups

Address at Manning Clark House, Canberra

1. Introduction: the shape of modern fairnessI acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, traditional owners of these lands, and all First Nations people present.

Statements on significant matters, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra

Aunty June just wanted a simple mobile phone.

Address to Public Fundraising Regulatory Association

Ten years of asking nicely for good causes

Address to the Australian Financial Security Authority Summit, Sydney

Thank you for the invitation to join this year’s Australian Financial Security Authority Summit.

Address at the launch of the Gender Equality Evidence Hub, Melbourne

I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, on whose lands I am recording these remarks. Special congratulations to Dr Leonora Risse on bringing the Gender Equality Evidence Hub to life.