Andrew Leigh MP: Speeches & Conversations

Markets, Monopolies and Moguls

On 19 May 2016, I delivered the John Freebairn Lecture at Melbourne University, on the topic "Markets, Monopolies and Moguls: The Relationship Between Inequality and Competition". The full text is available here. A revised version of the talk (co-authored with Adam Triggs) will be published in late-2016 in the Australian Economic Review.

Talking budgets and politics with Michelle Grattan

On 5 May 2016, I sat down to chat with The Conversation's Michelle Grattan about the Turnbull Government's budget and the coming election.

Five tips for academics wanting to get their ideas into policy

On 14 April 2016, I spoke at the Australian National University's inaugural National Law Reform Conference, offering five suggestions for academics who are keen to have their ideas taken up by policymakers.

The Future of Australia's Tax System

On 18 November 2015, I spoke to the Corporate Tax and Transfer Pricing Summit in Sydney on the topic "The future of Australia's tax system: opportunity, growth and integrity". The full text of the speech is available here.

Robots, Remuneration and Restructuring

On 16 November 2015, I presented the Melville Lecture at the Australian National University, on the topic "Robots, Remuneration and Restructuring: How Do Technology and Inequality Shape One Another, and What Should We Do About It?". The full text of the talk is available here.

Humans Need Not Apply: Will the Robot Economy Pit Entrepreneurship Against Equality?

On 27 October 2015, I gave a talk at Northwestern University in Chicago on the topic "Humans Need Not Apply: Will the Robot Economy Pit Entrepreneurship Against Equality?". The full text is available here. 

Launch Speech for 'The Luck of Politics'

On 2 September 2015, I launched my new book, The Luck of Politics, at the Australian National University.

Talking about The Luck of Politics with ABC's Richard Stubbs

On 2 September 2015, I spoke with ABC 774's Richard Stubbs about my new book, The Luck of Politics.

In Conversation with David Marr about 'The Luck of Politics'

On 31 August 2015, I joined writer David Marr for a conversation about my new book, The Luck of Politics. The conversation took place in MacLaurin Hall, at the University of Sydney.

Sunday Profile with Richard Aedy

On 16 August 2015, I spoke with ABC Radio National's Sunday Profile program, hosted by Richard Aedy. We discussed my grandparents, growing up in Indonesia, and why inequality matters. 

Reckless beyond words? A data-driven look at Australian young people today

On 15 April 2015, I spoke to the National Youth Conference on the question of whether young people today are more prone to anti-social behaviour than in the past. The text of the speech is here. This podcast is subsequently re-recorded.

Sharing the Future: Competition in the App Age

On 24 March 2015, I addressed the National Press Club on the competition policy issues raised by sharing economy apps such as Uber and AirBNB. The text of the speech is here.

Race with the machine or race against the machine? Laying the foundations for an innovative, productive and equitable Australia

On 10 March 2015, I spoke at a Perth business breakfast about the intertwined issues of productivity, innovation and inequality. This audio is subsequently re-recorded. The full text of the speech is here.

Fair gone? How governments can guard against growing inequality

On 19 February 2015, I gave an ANZSOG lecture in Melbourne, on the tension between Australia's great egalitarian traditions, and the economic reality of rising inequality.

In Conversation with Bryan Stevenson about crime and punishment in the United States

On 18 February 2015, I joined human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson, executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Alabama, in front of a live audience at the Australian National University to discuss his new book, "Just Mercy". 

Economic Development on the Far South Coast

On 31 January 2015, I spoke at an event about Economics Development on the Far South Coast, organised by Leanne Atkinson, Labor's candidate for the NSW state seat of Bega. My fellow panellist was Per Capita head David Hetherington. The text of my speech is available on my website.

No Country Ever Tax Dodged Its Way to Prosperity

On 27 January 2015, I spoke to the McKell Institute in Sydney on the topic of multinational tax, in a speech titled "No Country Ever Tax Dodged Its Way to Prosperity". The full text of the speech is available on my website. 

Defending the ABC - Using Only ABC Show Titles

On 20 November 2014, I spoke to a 'Save the ABC' rally outside the Canberra ABC studios. Just for fun, I gave the speech in defence of the ABC using only ABC program names.

Talking economics, inequality and politics with Richard Fidler on ABC Conversations

On 11 November 2014, I joined Richard Fidler on ABC Conversations for an hour-long chat, ranging from Cezanne, Heller and Hitchcock to inequality, leadership and the economics of beauty. 

Equal to Our Core: Making the Case for Egalitarianism as Australia’s National Value

On 14 October 2014, I spoke at the University of Adelaide. The topic of my speech was "Equal to our core: making the case for egalitarianism as Australia’s national value". The occasion was the launch of the university's new Bachelor of Economics (Advanced).

Talking egalitarianism with Fabians Australia national chair Andrew Hunter

On 14 October 2014, I spoke with Andrew Hunter, national chair of the Australian Fabians, about egalitarianism, politics and community.

How Behavioural Economics Does and Can Shape Public Policy - Conversation

On 8 October 2014, I joined John Daley, head of the Grattan Institute, for a conversation and Q&A session on how behavioural economics has shaped public policy, and might do so in the future.

How Behavioural Economics Does and Can Shape Public Policy - Speech

Over recent decades, behavioural economics has swept through the economics profession. In a speech at the Grattan Institute in Melbourne on 8 October 2014, I spoke about how behavioural economics has shaped public policy, and suggested six ideas for the future.

Does Too Much Inequality Prevent Social Mobility?

In September 2014, I presented at an OECD-NBER conference on "Productivity Growth and Innovation in the Long Run". This talk focuses on the question of whether a bigger gap between rich and poor also makes for a more static society, where class-jumping becomes harder.

Speaking at the Vocal Majority Family Album Launch

On 28 August 2014, I spoke about diversity and inclusivity at the launch of Vocal Majority's "Family Album" on the lawns of Parliament House.

Vote of thanks for Greg Combet

On 7 August 2014, Greg Combet launched his new book, "The Fights of My Life" (written with Mark Davis). At the Canberra launch of the book, held at ANU, I gave a brief vote of thanks, discussing Greg's signal contribution to public life.

Talking with PhD students about studying, careers, and politics

On 1 August 2014, I spoke to an ANU conference for PhD students, organised around the topic "What will you do when your doctorate is done?"

Launch Speech for "The Economics of Just About Everything"

At the University of Queensland on 31 July 2014, I launched my new book, "The Economics of Just About Everything", and discussed some of its findings, including the birthdays of sportspeople, the economics of dating, the economics of losing weight, and how a clean desk can be as inefficient as a messy one.

ABC Sydney interview on "The Economics of Just About Everything"

On 31 July 2014, I spoke with Richard Glover about my new book, "The Economics of Just About Everything".

ABC Melbourne interview on "The Economics of Just About Everything"

On 31 July 2014, I spoke with ABC Melbourne's Red Symons about my new book, "The Economics of Just About Everything". We discussed a range of findings in the book, including Red's specialty, the economics of music.

ABC Canberra interview on "The Economics of Just About Everything"

On 30 July 2014, I spoke with ABC Canberra's Philip Clarke about my new book, "The Economics of Just About Everything".

Growth and Diversity: How Immigration Presents Challenges and Opportunities for Australia and the US

On 23 July 2014, I spoke to a breakfast gathering convened by the Progressive Policy Institute, a think-tank in Washington DC. The topic of the speech was ‘Growth and Diversity: How Immigration Presents Challenges and Opportunities for Australia and the United States’.

Discussing global poverty with Jeff Sachs

On 22 May 2014, I interviewed Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, about the role of Australian aid in reducing global poverty.

Talking economics and ALP reform with Michelle Grattan

On 2 May 2014, Michelle Grattan interviewed me to discuss the government's fiscal choices, how their policies will affect inequality, and proposals to democratise the ALP.

Giants of Australian economic reform

On 24 April 2014, I launched a book on Australian economic growth and wellbeing that was produced in honour of former chief statistician Ian Castles. I used the launch to discuss the greats who have shaped Australia's economic success over the past eleven decades.

Does Size Matter? An Economic Perspective on the Population Debate

On 13 March 2014, I spoke at the Lowy Institute in Sydney on the topic of population size, Australia's immigration mix, and the vexed issue of asylum seekers. This podcast includes the introduction and the Q&A session.

Australia After the Boom

On 21 February 2014, I took part in a panel discussion at the Perth Writers' Festival on Australia's economic future. The other panellists were Ross Garnaut, Mike Nahan, Andrew Burrell & Scott Ludlam, and the chair was Carmen Lawrence. The conversation was subsequently broadcast on ABC Big Ideas.

Ideas and Engagement: The Western Australian Economic Story

On 21 February 2014, I spoke at a business breakfast in Western Australia, discussing the role of ingenuity in the state's economic story, and talking about the late Western Australian Senator Peter Cook.

Talking Inequality with Geraldine Doogue

On 1 Feb 2014, I spoke with Geraldine Doogue on ABC Radio National Saturday Extra about the rise in inequality in Australia, using a few sporting analogies to explain why it matters and what we might do to reduce it. My fellow guest was Sieglinde Lemke.

Launching Chris Aulich's book on the Gillard Governments

On 30 Jan 2014, I launched a book on the Gillard Governments edited by Chris Aulich, and discussed the policy achievements and political challenges of 2010 to 2013.

Talking National Identity with Steve Austin

On 17 January 2014, I spoke with ABC612 Brisbane's Steve Austin about Australian national identity, arguing that our national character must be centred around values rather than stereotypes. I nominated three values - egalitarianism, mateship and the fair go - and told some of the national stories that define what it means to be Australian.

Eureka Lecture

On 3 Dec 2013, the 159th anniversary of the rebellion, I gave the Eureka Lecture in Ballarat. I argued that because of its global ideals of democracy, freedom, republicanism, multiculturalism, egalitarianism and mateship, Eureka should be a key national story.

Discussing Politics and Economics with Craig Emerson

On 8 Nov 2013, I joined former Cabinet Minister Craig Emerson on 'Emmo Forum' to discuss philosophical values, society, public policy, politics and economics.

In Conversation with Clare Wright about Eureka Women

On 5 Nov 2013, I joined Clare Wright in Canberra for a discussion about her latest book - The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka - which looks at the pivotal role that women played on the Victorian goldfields.

Labor and Liberalism

On 5 Dec 2012, I spoke at think tank Per Capita's Reform Agenda Series, arguing that Labor is a party of both egalitarianism and liberalism.

The Naked Truth - Media and Politics in the Digital Age

On 1 Aug 2012, I gave the inaugural 'Challenge Your Mind' lecture at the University of Canberra, discussing the technological changes that have impacted on the Australian media, and how we can build a stronger public conversation.

What Do We Eat After the Low Hanging Fruit? A Brief Economic History of Australia

On 18 May 2012, I spoke at the McKell Institute in Sydney, discussing Australian economic history, with some ideas for the future.

Five Science Breakthroughs That Could Change Politics

On 18 April 2012, I spoke to students at the University of Sydney on the topic of "Five Science Breakthroughs that Could Change Politics". ABC Science Show presenter Robin Williams liked the talk, so I reprised it for Ockham's Razor.

How Did Australia Become Disconnected?

On 28 March 2012, I spoke at the Battle of Big Thinking in Sydney's Carriage Works about the collapse and (hopefully) revival of Australian civic life, drawing on the ideas in my 2010 book "Disconnected".

Fragile States and Agile Aid

On 18 May 2011, I spoke at the Lowy Institute about Australia's aid program, arguing that aid has the potential to make the world a better place, and that Australia's development assistance program should focus on our comparative advantages.