16 Jul 2019

Private health insurance under challenge – Melbourne

Private health insurance premiums are increasing, people are dropping their cover, and private hospitals are feeling the pinch. What is driving the premium increases? Are the current problems temporary or more fundamental? Does the Morrison Government need to save or change private healthcare? At this Policy Pitch event, a panel of experts will chart the causes of and suggest solutions to Australia’s private health insurance crisis.


02 Jul 2019

Hydrogen: coming to a stovetop near you? – Sydney

How will we reduce emissions from the gas Australians use to warm our homes, heat water and cook dinner? The COAG Energy Council is examining what role hydrogen might play in Australia’s energy system, including potentially switching the gas network to hydrogen. In this Forward Thinking event a panel of experts will discuss whether hydrogen will become a key part of Australia’s future energy supply.


26 Jun 2019

What would it take to end homelessness in Queensland

In this State of Affairs event at the State Library of Queensland, Executive Director of National Shelter, Adrian Pisarski, and Grattan Institute CEO John Daley will discuss what’s the best way to help low-income earners deal with rising housing costs and to reduce the number of Queenslanders who are homeless.


Past Events

  • 04 Jun 2019

    How governments can help struggling Australians with rising housing costs – Melbourne

    In this Policy Pitch event at the State Library of Victoria, Council of Homeless Persons CEO Jenny Smith, Residential Tenancies in Victoria inaugural Commissioner Dr Heather Holst and Grattan Institute Fellow Brendan Coates discussed the best way to help low-income earners deal with rising housing costs and reduce the number of Australians who are homelessness.

  • 22 May 2019

    Age war? Talking about the generational bargain – Melbourne

    The 2019 election has been branded the ‘generational election’. Beyond the hyperbole about an ‘age war’, there are serious questions about the economic future of today’s young Australians. In this Policy Pitch event the panel debated the contentious issue of intergenerational inequality, and identified what if anything we should do about it.

  • 21 May 2019

    What should the next Federal Government do on retirement incomes? — Sydney

    Australia’s retirement incomes system faces some big challenges. Grattan Institute’s Money in Retirement report showed that while most Australians can expect the same, or a higher, living standard in retirement as when working, retirees who rent are at growing risk of poverty. In this Forward Thinking event, the panel discussed what the winner of the May 18 federal election should do to fix superannuation, and the retirement incomes system more broadly.

  • 17 Apr 2019

    Federal Election 2019: Big ideas for Australia’s next government – Melbourne

    In this Policy Pitch event at State Library Victoria, Grattan Institute’s tax, energy, health, housing, retirement incomes, and transport & cities experts considered the issues in their field and nominate the choices that would really make a difference to Australia’s future. The discussion drew on Grattan’s Commonwealth Orange Book 2019, which identifies policy priorities for the next government.

  • 09 Apr 2019

    2019 Federal Budget: unpacking the economics and politics for Queensland and Australia – Brisbane

    Taking place a week after the federal budget (and on the cusp of a federal election), this State of Affairs event asked what does it all mean? Will the budget finally get to surplus and does it matter? What will be the longer-term economic implications for Queensland and the nation? And what impact might it have on the imminent federal election? Our panel of experts shared their analysis and insights.

  • 03 Apr 2019

    Building teacher expertise in NSW schools – Sydney

    In this Forward Thinking event, the panel discussed: what teaching expertise looks like; how access to expert teachers could help every teacher improve their practice; what support expert teachers themselves need; and the benefits and risks of embedding expertise into teacher career paths.

  • 05 Mar 2019

    Filling the dental gap: meeting unmet oral health needs – Melbourne

    Two million Australians delay or miss out on dental care each year because of cost. What should be done? Part of the answer is improving the value of existing public dental services. But part of the answer is that the Commonwealth should expand its role and establish a universal dental scheme paralleling Medicare. This Policy Pitch heard about both of these approaches.

  • 19 Feb 2019

    NSW Election 2019: Big ideas for the next government – Sydney

    In this Forward Thinking event, Grattan Institute’s budget, energy, and transport and cities experts considered the issues in their policy area and nominate the choices that would really make a difference to NSW’s future. The discussion drew on Grattan’s State Orange Book, which identifies policy priorities for state and territory governments across the nation.

  • 12 Feb 2019

    Summer blackouts: the new normal? – Melbourne

    200,000 Victorian customers lost power on 25 January 2019, begging the question: is this the new normal? To answer this question, Grattan Institute’s Guy Dundas was joined at this Policy Pitch event by Paul Austin from the Australian Energy Market Operator, the body that manages the electricity market, and Suzanne Falvi from the Australian Energy Market Commission, the body that sets the energy market rules.

  • 11 Dec 2018

    Australia’s prospects for a credible energy and climate change policy? – Canberra

    At this Capital Ideas event, moderator, ANU Energy Change Institute Director Ken Baldwin and our panel, Grattan Institute’s Tony Wood, Warwick McKibbin from ANU and the BCA’s Jessica Wilson  discussed if there is any prospect of credible energy and climate change policy in Australia before the next election.

  • 04 Dec 2018

    Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List 2018

    Every year Grattan Institute releases a summer reading list for the Prime Minister. It recommends books and articles that the Prime Minister, or any Australian interested in public debate, will find both stimulating and cracking good reads. Melbourne-based journalist Madeleine Morris joined Grattan Institute CEO John Daley in Melbourne to discuss how this year’s titles illuminate some of Australia’s most important debates.

  • 13 Nov 2018

    State Orange Book 2018: Policy priorities for states and territories – Melbourne

    Following the release of our State Orange Book 2018, this Policy Pitch event, featuring a number of Grattan Institute Fellows and Program Directors, examined some of the policy recommendations from ten years of Grattan Institute reports and outline what state and territory governments should do to improve Australia.

  • 08 Nov 2018

    Graduate premium: is it still worth going to university? – Sydney

    At this Forward Thinking event, Dineli Mather, a Pro Vice-Chancellor at Deakin University, Phil Lewis, an Emeritus Professor at the University of Canberra, and the Grattan Institute’s Ittima Cherastidtham discussed if higher education is still a good option for young people. Which courses are the best insurance against poor employment outcomes?

  • 31 Oct 2018

    South-East Queensland in a time of change – Brisbane

    At this State of Affairs event Marion Terrill from the Grattan Institute, Matt Collins, who’s leading the Queensland Government’s Cities Transformation Taskforce, and moderator Steve Abson, who is Chief Executive of the Infrastructure Association of Queensland explored the state of Queensland’s cities and where to from here.

  • 09 Oct 2018

    Melbourne in a time of change

    Marion Terrill from the Grattan Institute, Peter Mares, a journalist and migration expert who’s just published a book on housing policy, and Miriam Slattery, who heads Strategy and Partnerships at the City of Melbourne and is a transport enthusiast, explored the state of Melbourne and where to from here at this Policy Pitch event.

  • 02 Oct 2018

    South Australia’s power system: Are we ready for summer? – Adelaide

    In the last two years we’ve seen actions by Governments and others to improve the security and reliability of our power system. Grattan Institute, in partnership with the State Library of South Australia, hosted a public policy forum to discuss what we’ve learned and how things look for the coming summer where AEMO’s Audrey Zibelman, ElectraNet’s Steve Masters and Grattan’s Tony Wood shed light on how the system is shaping up.

  • 13 Sep 2018

    Energy Futures Seminar: Energy policy. Where to from here? – Melbourne

    Energy policy has played a central role in the removal of another Australian Prime Minister, highlighting our inability to integrate energy and environmental policy. What policies and market structure do we need in this new world and how will they balance energy prices, reliability and emissions? Our panel of experts, including Chloe Munro, Ross Garnaut and Michael Brear, threw light on these questions in the final Future Energy Series of public policy forums for 2018.

  • 12 Sep 2018

    Who’s in the room? Special interest influence on policy – Melbourne

    This Policy Pitch event looked at the different ways special interest groups – including business, unions and not-for-profits – seek influence over policy. Do political donations buy access? Which groups lobby the most? And who spends the most on public campaigns?

  • 11 Sep 2018

    Who’s in the room? Special interest influence on policy – Sydney

    This Forward Thinking event looked at the different ways special interest groups – including business, unions and not-for-profits – seek influence over policy. Do political donations buy access? Which groups lobby the most? And who spends the most on public campaigns?

  • 07 Aug 2018

    Primary Care in Australia: the state of play – Melbourne

    At this Policy Pitch event, Dr Amanda Kenny, the Violet Marshman Professor of Rural Health at La Trobe University and Dr Hal Swerissen, Fellow, Grattan Institute discussed the state of play for primary care in Australia and options and recommendations for the future.

  • 01 Aug 2018

    Post-Gonski 2.0: Supporting evidence-based teaching practice in the classroom – Sydney

    At this Forward Thinking event, School Education Program Director, Peter Goss and a panel of experts discussed the difficulties of achieving evidence-based teaching at scale and how to implement critical reforms, such as tailored teaching and new specialist teacher career pathways.

  • 24 Jul 2018

    Energy Futures Seminar: The way back to affordable electricity – Melbourne

    At this Energy Futures event ACCC Chair Rod Sims, Grattan Institute’s Tony Wood and Dr Leslie Martin from The University of Melbourne’s Department of Economics and the Centre for Market Design, discussed the ACCC report, its recommendations to governments on solutions and the expectations we should have for real improvements in the short to medium term.

  • 04 Jul 2018

    Safer care saves money – Brisbane

    At this State of Affairs event, Stephen Duckett, Health Program Director at Grattan Institute presented data on the costs of complication rates and potential new strategies to reduce adverse events based on a forthcoming report on hospital safety.

  • 03 Jul 2018

    Post-Gonski 2.0: Supporting evidence-based teaching practice in the classroom – Melbourne

    At this Policy Pitch event, School Education Fellow, Julie Sonnemann and a panel of experts discussed the difficulties of achieving evidence-based teaching at scale and how to implement critical reforms, such as tailored teaching and new specialist teacher career pathways.

  • 26 Jun 2018

    The future of Australia’s super system – Canberra

    At this Capital Ideas event, Grattan Institute’s CEO John Daley and the CEO of the Financial Services Council, Sally Loane discussed the possible futures for Australia’s super system.

  • 12 Jun 2018

    Dropping out of university: when does it matter, how can it be reduced? – Melbourne

    At this Policy Pitch event, the panel discussed the reasons students leave university without completing, and what universities are doing or can do to ensure students get the best outcome from their higher education experience.

  • 16 May 2018

    Energy Futures Seminar: National Energy Guarantee – why is it so important and what happens next? – Sydney

    At this Energy Futures Seminar, ESB Chair, Kerry Schott, Grattan Institute’s Tony Wood and Tim Nelson from AGL as they explained, discussed and debated these issues. The Forum was moderated by Jennifer Hewett from the Australian Financial Review and was hosted by the Melbourne Energy Institute, Grattan Institute and the State Library of New South Wales.

  • 15 May 2018

    Australian retirement incomes: do we have a problem? – Melbourne

    At this Policy Pitch event, the panel looked at how current generations are faring in retirement, and what kind of retirement we can all expect in the future. They discussed the policy levers such as the Super Guarantee, superannuation draw-down rules, retirement ages, and the level and means testing of the Age Pension. And they explored the trade-offs that these involve for spending before retirement and for government budgets.

  • 02 May 2018

    Gonski 2.0 Review: What the Commonwealth should do (and not do) to drive improvement in school education – Brisbane

    In this State of Affairs event, Julie Sonnemann, Grattan Institute School Education Fellow, along with a panel of leading policy thinkers explored: What is needed to lift educational outcomes at scale; what are the benefits, challenges and risks of Commonwealth interventions; and, where should the Commonwealth focus its efforts, and why?

  • 17 Apr 2018

    Safer care saves money – Melbourne

    In this Policy Pitch event, Stephen Duckett, Health Program Director at Grattan Institute presented data on the costs of complication rates and potential new strategies to reduce adverse events. He was joined by Associate Professor Jill Sewell, chair of the Victorian Clinical Council and Dr Linda Swan, Chief Medical Officer for Medibank to discuss how strategies might work in the public and private sectors.

  • 11 Apr 2018

    Energy Futures Seminar: What does a truly sustainable electricity network look like? – Melbourne

    Electricity network costs continue to be an area of significant focus for consumers, government, regulators and media, as well as network businesses themselves. In some cases, claims have been made that network prices are paying for investments the value of which has since been questioned. Experts from Grattan Institute, Powerlink and the Melbourne Energy Institute debated and explored these challenges in this first of our Energy Future Series for 2018.

  • 13 Mar 2018

    Innovation policy in Australia: never a better time? – Melbourne

    Innovation and Science Australia has just released its plan for Australia’s innovation, science and research system, Australia 2030: Prosperity through Innovation. How big is the opportunity for Australia? Who really benefits from rapid innovation? Should policymakers follow ISA’s recommendations? At this Policy Pitch event, a panel that included the authors of the report used these questions to form the basis for an engaging discussion on innovation policy.

  • 06 Mar 2018

    Innovation policy in Australia: never a better time? – Sydney

    Innovation and Science Australia has just released its plan for Australia’s innovation, science and research system, Australia 2030: Prosperity through Innovation. How big is the opportunity for Australia? Who really benefits from rapid innovation? Should policymakers follow ISA’s recommendations? At this Forward Thinking event, a panel that included the authors of the report used these questions to form the basis for an engaging discussion on innovation policy.

  • 27 Feb 2018

    Congestion in Melbourne: is it time to consider congestion charging?

    In this Policy Pitch event, a panel of transport and infrastructure experts explored: How bad congestion is across Melbourne; at what point we should consider new strategies to manage congestion, including congestion pricing; and, if a government were to introduce congestion charging, what principles should guide the scheme.

  • 20 Feb 2018

    Gonski 2.0 Review: What the Commonwealth should do (and not do) to drive improvement in school education – Canberra

    In this Capital Ideas event, Dr Peter Goss, Grattan Institute School Education Program Director, hosted a panel of leading policy thinkers to explore what is needed to lift educational outcomes at scale, what are the benefits, challenges and risks of Commonwealth interventions and where should the Commonwealth focus its efforts, and why?

  • 13 Feb 2018

    The demand driven higher education funding system: frozen or finished? – Sydney

    In this Forward Thinking event, a panel of experts will discussed if the demand driven system be restored. Its supporters argue that it increased access to higher education, fixed skills shortages caused by too few graduates, and encouraged innovation in teaching. Its detractors argue that admission standards fell, that we now have too many graduates, and that it cost taxpayers far too much.

  • 05 Dec 2017

    Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List 2017

    At this Policy Pitch event, Grattan Institute launched our annual Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister at the State Library Victoria. Melbourne broadcaster Sally Warhaft joined Grattan Institute CEO John Daley in Melbourne to discuss how this year’s titles illuminate some of Australia’s most important debates.

  • 29 Nov 2017

    The impact of power costs on Queensland and what can be done? – Brisbane

    The prices of gas and electricity have risen substantially. Homes and businesses – particularly energy intensive businesses – are facing the squeeze and energy is an issue in the coming state election. This State of Affairs event, hosted by Grattan Institute and the UQ Energy Initiative, discussed the likely impacts and possible outlook for Queenslanders.

  • 28 Nov 2017

    Cities and the regions: a growing divide? – Sydney

    This Forward Thinking event explored the widening economic and social divide between Australia’s cities and regions. What are the economic forces at play? What are the effects on the social fabric of the nation? And what if anything should governments do to bridge the divide?

  • 22 Nov 2017

    Can Australia fix its energy mess? – Melbourne

    Energy policy in 2017 has been constantly in the media headlines, driven by the reality of the impact of high prices and security uncertainty and the ongoing, intense politicisation of energy and climate change policy. The chair of the Energy Security Board, Kerry Schott, and the chair of the ACCC, Rod Sims, came together for our last Energy Futures forum for 2017 to reflect on 2017 and what we need in 2018.

  • 21 Nov 2017

    Post Trump, Post Brexit, Post Policy: the Rise of Populism – Melbourne

    This Policy Pitch event detailed Grattan analysis about the real shifts in Australia’s economy, culture and institutions, and which of them are plausibly linked to shifts in voting. It then considered what policy reforms would do most to re-engage people in the institutions that are vital to good government.

  • 17 Oct 2017

    Stuck in traffic? Road congestion in Sydney

    In this Forward Thinking event, an expert panel considered: if we can manage Sydney congestion by working our existing approaches harder or has the city reached a tipping point, where a new approach is needed and if Sydney adopted a different approach, what could it do to keep the city moving?

  • 03 Oct 2017

    Competition in the Australian economy: too little of a good thing? – Melbourne

    In this Policy Pitch event, an expert panel discussed the role of competition and competition policy in the Australian economy including, how valid concerns are about competition and market power in Australia; where competition is working less well than it could, and what are its limits as a policy tool; and what else policymakers should do to ensure competition benefits the community?

  • 13 Sep 2017

    Retail Competition in the electricity sector and energy price – Melbourne

    This Energy Futures Seminar, a part of the Policy Pitch series, explored the Thwaites Review findings and the Grattan Report ‘Price shock: Is the retail electricity market failing consumers?’ released earlier this year. The expert panel, moderated by Dr Sara Bice and joined by John Thwaites, Tony Wood and Sarah McNamara representative debated the Review’s recommendations for a regulated Basic Service Offer and related issues.

  • 17 Aug 2017

    Post Trump, Post Brexit, Post Policy: the Rise of Populism – Brisbane

    Established political parties are struggling across the developed world, while “outsider parties” rise. In this State of Affairs event, Grattan CEO John Daley presented detailed Grattan analysis about the real shifts in Australia’s economy, culture and institutions, and which of them are plausibly linked to shifts in voting.

  • 15 Aug 2017

    Safety and Quality – time to stop just goggling at the problems our data reveals – Melbourne

    The health system is awash with data. Nearly all of it tells us that we could improve. Yet our current improvement efforts are surprisingly limited in their scope. In this Policy Pitch event, a panel of experts discussed how to improve the soundness, relevance, accessibility and understanding of health data.

  • 11 Jul 2017

    Housing affordability: Resurrecting the Australian dream – Melbourne

    In this Policy Pitch event at the State Library of Victoria, Sally Capp (Victorian Executive Director at the Property Council of Australia), Nicki Hutley (Director & Chief Economist at Urbis) and Brendan Coates (Fellow at Grattan Institute) will discussed the problems, and weighed the options for reform.

  • 28 Jun 2017

    Chief Scientist Alan Finkel’s Review of the Security of the National Electricity Market – Sydney

    This Forward Thinking event followed the release of the Final Report of the Finkel Review. Dr Finkel and a panel of experts discussed how Australia can respond to challenges that our electricity system faces.

  • 27 Jun 2017

    Australia’s budget woes – Canberra

    This Capital Ideas event explored the causes of repeated budget projection errors. Katharine Murphy, political editor at the Guardian, and 15-year veteran of the Canberra press gallery, discussed the issues with John Daley, CEO of the Grattan Institute, presenting new research from Grattan Institute’s work on budget policy.

  • 22 Jun 2017

    Energy Futures Seminar: Chief Scientist Alan Finkel’s Review of the Security of the National Electricity Market

    This Energy Futures Seminar followed the release of the Final Report of the Finkel Review. Dr Finkel and a panel of experts discussed how Australia can respond to challenges that our electricity system faces.

  • 14 Jun 2017

    Engaging students: creating better classroom environments for learning – Sydney

    In this Forward Thinking event, Dr Peter Goss, Grattan Institute School Education Program Director, hosted a panel of leading educators to explore: What is happening in Australia’s classrooms; how can schools and teachers create better classroom environments for learning; and, what policy changes would help schools the most.

  • 06 Jun 2017

    What is a fair amount for university students to pay?

    In this Policy Pitch event, co-hosted by the Policy Shop podcast the following issues were examined: Why Australia has a hybrid public-private system of funding higher education; Consequences for the demand and supply of student places of Australia’s university funding system; Consequences for student and graduate finances of student charges and HELP repayments; and, Consequences for universities and the student experience.

  • 04 May 2017

    Engaging students: creating better classroom environments for learning – Adelaide

    In this event, in partnership with the State Library South Australia, Dr Peter Goss, Grattan Institute School Education Program Director, hosted a panel of leading educators to explore: What is happening in Australia’s classrooms; how can schools and teachers create better classroom environments for learning; and, what policy changes would help schools the most.

  • 02 May 2017

    Engaging students: creating better classroom environments for learning – Melbourne

    In this Policy Pitch event, Dr Peter Goss, Grattan Institute School Education Program Director, hosted a panel of leading educators to explore: What is happening in Australia’s classrooms; how can schools and teachers create better classroom environments for learning; and, what policy changes would help schools the most.

  • 11 Apr 2017

    Stagnation nation? Australian investment in a low-growth world – Melbourne

    Australia risks descent into economic stagnation as the mining investment boom fades. In this policy pitch event three experienced policy analysts discussed the state of the economy and how policy can reignite investment.

  • 05 Apr 2017

    Housing affordability: Resurrecting the Australian dream – Sydney

    In this Forward Thinking event at the State Library of NSW, Jessica Irvine, senior economics writer for Fairfax Media, Princess Ventura, Director at Urbis and Grattan Institute Fellow Brendan Coates discussed the problem, and weighed the options for reform.

  • 23 Mar 2017

    How is technology reshaping the economy?

    In the first of Grattan Institute’s 2017 State of Affairs events, Productivity Growth Director Jim Minifie was joined on a panel by Joanna Batstone, Dr Charles Day and Martie-Louise Verreynne to explore technology and the economy.

  • 22 Mar 2017

    The Future of Clean Coal?

    In our first Future Energy forum of 2017, our Panel to explored whether clean coal is a crucial step in the transition towards a net zero emissions economy or an expensive and retrograde step that will be almost impossible to finance.

  • 21 Mar 2017

    Fighting obesity: one tax and one community at a time

    Australians are getting fatter. Various interventions have been tried, but the trends are in the wrong direction. In this policy pitch, we explored what can and should be done to address obesity and its effects.

  • 15 Mar 2017

    Climate Change 2017: Restarting the debate

    In the first Capital Ideas public forum hosted through our partnership with the National Library, Helen Wilson who will lead the Government’s review of our domestic climate change policies, Frank Jotzo a leading climate economist from ANU and Grattan Institute’s Tony Wood discussed the review and what it is intended to achieve.

  • 21 Feb 2017

    Why every generation feels entitled

    In this Policy Pitch event at the State Library Victoria, Caitlin Fitzsimmons, Money editor, Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Peter Switzer, Founder, Switzer Financial Group and Grattan CEO John Daley discussed why each generation feels entitled. They aimed to provide a bigger picture of the taxes and government support for each generation, and how policy ought to change.

  • 15 Feb 2017

    The right infrastructure at the right price

    Australian governments spent $28 billion more on transport infrastructure over the past 15 years than they told taxpayers they would spend. Grattan Institute’s first Forward Thinking event for the year joined three experts to discuss how to get the right infrastructure at the right price.

  • 14 Dec 2016

    National Electricity Market Review – Preliminary Report

    The National Electricity Market (NEM) Security Review, led by Australia’s Chief Scientist Alan Finkel, will deliver its preliminary report in December. Alan Finkel and a panel of experts discussed the preliminary report and likely policy implications at this Energy Futures seminar.

  • 07 Dec 2016

    Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List 2016

    Grattan Institute launched our annual Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister at the State Library of Victoria.

  • 10 Nov 2016

    Potential Pathways to Decarbonisation

    This Energy Futures Seminar explored potential decarbonisation pathways. Our panel featured Shell’s Jeremy Bentham who has a global reputation in scenario analysis. Jeremy was joined by Ross Garnaut, Tony Wood and Sara Bice in a panel discussion to be followed by Q&A with the audience.

  • 08 Nov 2016

    Dynamism or descent: What can Australia do to avoid the slow growth trap?

    Much of the rich world has been trapped in sluggish economic growth for almost a decade. Australia has avoided the slow growth trap so far. At this Policy Pitch event, three Australian economists discussed the low growth problem and Australia’s prospects and policy priorities.

  • 04 Nov 2016

    Webinar – Transport infrastructure: is government investment going to equip us for the future?

    In this webinar, Transport and Cities Program Director, Marion Terrill focused on new research from the Grattan Institute on cost overruns on transport infrastructure projects, and where governments have been investing.

  • 13 Oct 2016

    What do we know about the safety of hospital care? – Sydney

    The quality and safety of hospital care has been in the news in both Victoria and New South Wales in the last twelve months. In this Forward Thinking event Dr Stephen Duckett, Director of the Health Program at Grattan Institute, discussed issues in monitoring and improving the safety of hospital care.

  • 11 Oct 2016

    What do we know about the safety of hospital care? – Melbourne

    The quality and safety of hospital care has been in the news in both Victoria and New South Wales in the last twelve months. In this Policy Pitch event Dr Stephen Duckett, Director of the Health Program at Grattan Institute discussed issues in monitoring and improving the safety of hospital care.

  • 10 Oct 2016

    South Australia’s power system: a crisis or a canary?

    In recent months, South Australia has witnessed some remarkable changes in the electricity system. S.A. is a world leader in terms of integrating renewable energy into the grid, but these recent events have put a spotlight on the challenges that come with this transition.

  • 06 Oct 2016

    Demand for coal and gas in light of the Paris Agreement – what this means for Australia

    Australia signed up to the Paris Agreement in December 2016 that committed to holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. In this State of Affairs event co-hosted by UQ Energy Initiative and Grattan Institute, a panel of experts presented and discussed with the audience a range of perspectives on what this means for Australia’s economy, its businesses and policy makers.

  • 27 Sep 2016

    Australia’s Electricity System: Transition to 2030

    This symposium provided a comprehensive overview of the issues facing the energy system, with comparative European perspectives and experiences of the energy transition, market design and emission reduction targets – brought to you by the Melbourne Energy Institute, the Grattan Institute, the EU Centre on Shared Complex Challenges, GEE-21, the Australian-German Climate and Energy College, and ATSE.

  • 13 Sep 2016

    Australia in the age of discovery: navigating new risks and opportunities

    The world economy has never been more interconnected, and scientific discoveries and technologies are changing it quickly. This Policy Pitch event brought together the author of a fascinating new book, The Age of Discovery, and Australian policy thinkers to assess how Australia should confront the challenges of this age.

  • 16 Aug 2016

    Getting primary care right

    Everyone agrees we need to improve primary care. The Commonwealth government is proposing ‘health care homes’ as part of the answer and a move to paying GPs to look after the whole patient. In this Policy Pitch, Stephen Duckett, Director of the Health Program at Grattan Institute presented some findings from Grattan Institute research. Anne Congleton, and Jane Gunn then joined him on a panel to discuss how to improve primary care.

  • 11 Aug 2016

    Climate change: The great moral challenge was an election non-issue: What next?

    In this public forum hosted by Grattan Institute, John Connor, Emma Herd and Tony Wood discussed the prospect that with the new federal government and new minister we might really begin to address the great moral challenge of climate change.

  • 19 Jul 2016

    Is Australia keeping up? Science and technology graduates and the workforce

    Science and technology have transformed the world, and will continue to do so. But there is widespread concern that Australia is not keeping up. Australia’s Chief Scientist Alan Finkel, Grattan’s Andrew Norton and ATN’s Renee Hindmarsh discussed these issues.

  • 27 Jun 2016

    Climate policy 2016: Has Labor got it right this time around?

    In this Energy Futures event the Shadow Minister, Mark Butler, outlined Labor’s policies to address the challenge of climate change.

  • 20 Jun 2016

    Budget repair and the changing size of Australia’s government

    Australia does not have particularly large government by global standards. But it is getting larger, as hopes of budget repair recede over the horizon.

  • 14 Jun 2016

    A policy view on the Federal election

    As the Federal election enters its final fortnight, Grattan Institute’s CEO and Program Directors discussed the key policy reforms that the next Commonwealth Government should tackle.

  • 09 Jun 2016

    Roads to riches: how to drive our transport dollar further 

    Nick Greiner, former NSW Premier and former chairman of Infrastructure NSW, at this Forward Thinking event discussed a better approach to transport infrastructure spending with Grattan Transport Program Director Marion Terrill and John Watson from The Conversation.

  • 19 May 2016

    Future of gas in Australia: a new paradigm?

    This Energy Futures public forum featured Rod Sims, the Chairman of the ACCC, who discussed the Commission’s report on the competitiveness of wholesale gas prices in Eastern and Southern Australia.

  • 10 May 2016

    Melbourne – Mind the gaps: what can we do about widening gaps in school education in Australia?

    In this Policy Pitch event Dr Peter Goss hosted a panel of senior leaders in school education to explore learning gaps between Australian students and what can be done about these gaps.

  • 04 May 2016

    Sustainable Cities: New Research Perspectives

    In this public forum, presenters from the Grattan Institute and Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy Institute discussed recent work on climate policy, electricity tariffs, solar storage and rail funding.

  • 13 Apr 2016

    Brisbane – Mind the gaps: what can we do about widening gaps in school education in Australia?

    In this State of Affairs event Dr Peter Goss hosted a panel of senior leaders in school education to explore learning gaps between Australian students and what can be done about these gaps.

  • 12 Apr 2016

    Generation less? Exploring the economic challenge for young Australians

    In this Policy Pitch event at State Library Victoria, Jennifer Rayner, Professor Rod Maddock from Victoria University and Grattan Fellow Danielle Wood explore the emerging political and economic concerns around intergenerational inequality and what we should do about it.

  • 07 Apr 2016

    Sydney – Mind the gaps: what can we do about widening gaps in school education in Australia?

    In this Forward Thinking event Dr Peter Goss hosted a panel of senior leaders in school education to explore learning gaps between Australian students and what can be done about these gaps.

  • 22 Mar 2016

    Negative gearing and capital gains tax reform: what’s in the public interest?

    Negative gearing and capital gains tax have been much debated over the last few months. In this event, John Daley, CEO of the Grattan Institute, and Simon Cowan, Research Manager of the Centre for Independent Studies work through the issues.

  • 16 Feb 2016

    Climate policy in 2016: The hard task of delivering on our international commitment

    Shayleen Thompson, CEO of the Climate Change Authority and Clare Savage from the Business Council of Australia joined Grattan Institute’s Tony Wood to discuss: How tough is the target and what are the merits of the various policies that might be used to meet this and future targets?

  • 01 Feb 2016

    Other People’s Money: big finance and where it’s taking us

    Retired investment banker Harrison Young joined John Kay in a discussion with Marion Terrill about the finance industry.

  • 15 Dec 2015

    Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List 2015

    Grattan Institute launched our annual Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister, held in Melbourne at the State Library of Victoria on Tuesday 15 December.

  • 10 Dec 2015

    Targeting the tax breaks for superannuation

    In this Forward Thinking event Danielle Wood and Brendan Coates discussed superannuation tax breaks with Joanna Mather, who covers tax and superannuation for the Australian Financial Review.

  • 17 Nov 2015

    Striking a new generational bargain

    In this Policy Pitch event at State Library Victoria, Mark Butler and Grattan CEO John Daley discussed the policy implications of an ageing population.

  • 14 Oct 2015

    City geography and economic policy

    John Daley presented to the Council of City Lord Mayors at Parliament House on Wednesday 14 October 2015.

  • 14 Oct 2015

    Brisbane – State of Affairs – Targeted Teaching: closing the gap between theory, policy and practice

    Dr Pete Goss, Grattan Institute School Education Program Director, will host a panel of senior leaders in school education in QLD to explore targeted teaching.

  • 13 Oct 2015

    Melbourne – Climate Change: What happens after the Paris Conference?

    Tom Arup from The Age discussed what happens after the Paris Conference with David Karoly, Anthea Harris and Tony Wood in this Energy Futures event

  • 30 Sep 2015

    Sydney – Climate Change: What is Australia’s fair share of a global effort?

    Grattan Institute’s Tony Wood discussed Australia’s emissions reduction target with representatives of The Climate Institute and the Minerals Council.

  • 21 Sep 2015

    Future proofing

    Thanks to the mining boom, Australia has had a great decade, with the benefits well spread. The average 55 to 74 year old Australian is now a millionaire. But harder times lie ahead, especially for younger Australians. Tough calls on tax and spending must be made.

  • 15 Sep 2015

    Targeted Teaching: how to close the gap between theory, policy and practice

    Dr Peter Goss, Grattan Institute School Education Program Director, hosted a panel of senior leaders in school education to explore targeted teaching.

  • 19 Aug 2015

    We need to talk about tax

    This State of Affairs event discussed the key questions in Australian tax reform, and show how they raise fundamental issues about what sort of society we want to be.

  • 18 Aug 2015

    Melbourne – The trusting economy? How peer-to-peer platforms are changing work, business, and policy

    Professor Ian Harper joined Dr Nicholas Gruen and Dr Jim Minifie from Grattan Institute in this Policy Pitch discussion about the peer-to-peer economy.

  • 19 Aug 2015

    Can renewable energy meet ‘baseload’ power?

    This Energy Futures seminar will explore whether a portfolio of renewable technologies can reliably supply our power needs.

  • 13 Aug 2015

    Sydney – The collaborative economy? How peer-to-peer platforms are changing work, business, and policy

    Join Rachel Botsman, a global leader in the analysis of the collaborative economy, and Dr Jim Minifie from Grattan Institute in this Forward Thinking discussion on how collaboration is changing business, the economy and policy.

  • 04 Aug 2015

    School Improvement Episode 6: Targeted teaching with Peter Goss

    Pete Goss spoke to Danielle Meloney from ACER’s Teacher magazine on Tuesday 4 August 2015.

  • 21 Jul 2015

    Natural gas: part of the problem or part of the solution?

    Can clean burning gas be part of the solution but as a fossil fuel also be part of the problem? This Policy Pitch seminar discussed an issue of critical importance to Australia, shortly to become the world’s biggest exporter of gas.

  • 18 Jun 2015

    Chronic failure: next steps for primary care

    Why aren’t services and outcomes for chronic disease better? What can be done to improve them? This seminar addressed these questions and outlined proposals in the forthcoming Grattan report on Chronic Failure.

  • 16 Jun 2015

    What’s happening to graduate employment?

    This Policy Pitch event looked at what is going on in the graduate labour market and what might be done to improve employment prospects.

  • 11 Jun 2015

    Sundown, sunrise: how Australia can finally get solar power right

    This Forward Thinking seminar explored how we need to get network prices and policy settings fixed to ensure that solar really can help deliver fairer, cheaper and more sustainable electricity.

  • 28 May 2015

    Is it time to leave the grid? The rise of distributed generation and the consequences for consumers and the electricity sector

    This Energy Futures seminar explored the economic case for solar and how we need to get network prices and policy settings fixed to ensure that solar really can help deliver fairer, cheaper and more sustainable electricity.

  • 19 May 2015

    STEM for all: Building the capability of all young Australians in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths

    Education commentators divide over how much to promote the disciplines now known as STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Dr Peter Goss will host an expert panel to explore these contradictions.

  • 15 May 2015

    Australia’s budget pressures: the view from Treasury

    Three days after the 2015-16 Budget, Commonwealth Treasury Secretary John Fraser speaks to Grattan CEO John Daley about the key economic issues for Australia going forward, including the outlook for debt, growth and structural reform.

  • 29 Apr 2015

    Setting Australia’s emissions reduction targets

    In April, the Climate Change Authority will release its draft report on post-2020 targets for consultation. At this public forum, the panel discussed the Authority’s draft recommendations and considered how Australia should contribute to global climate action.

  • 21 Apr 2015

    Crisis, what crisis? Should tax reform fix Commonwealth and State budgets?

    John Daley, Grattan Institute CEO hosted an expert panel to discuss the most attractive options for repairing Commonwealth and State revenues.

  • 20 Mar 2015

    Intergenerational fairness

    John spoke at a meeting of the CEDA Council on Economic Policy on 20 March 2015.

  • 05 Mar 2015

    What is the future of Australian energy exports in a carbon constrained world?

    For the last decade Australia’s balance of trade has been heavily reliant on coal exports. With future global demand for coal potentially softening, and the demand for renewable energy rising, what is the likely impact on Australia’s future energy exports?

  • 04 Mar 2015

    City Limits Book Launch Melbourne and Sydney Events

    Launch events in Melbourne and Sydney for Grattan Institute’s first book, City Limits: Why Australia’s cities are broken and how we can fix them, by Jane-Frances Kelly and Paul Donegan.

  • 18 Feb 2015

    The Murray Inquiry and Superannuation

    A forthcoming Grattan report argues that the superannuation industry needs to become more efficient. Join an expert panel for a discussion on superannuation and the Financial System Inquiry.

  • 09 Feb 2015

    Regulating the peer-to-peer economy

    Jim Minifie, Grattan’s Productivity Growth Program Director, hosted an exceptionally well-qualified group for brief presentations and a panel discussion on Regulating the peer-to-peer economy.

  • 05 Feb 2015

    Gas: too good to burn? – Brisbane

    Panel members reflected on whether we could or should switch away from gas, and if indeed a situation could arise in which our gas is priced out of the market.

  • 17 Dec 2014

    Why we need new roles for physician assistants

    Graduation address (about meeting primary care access limitations in rural and remote Australia) by Stephen Duckett, Director Health Program Grattan Institute, at the Graduation for Division of Tropical Health and Medicine at James Cook University on 17 December 2014.

  • 09 Dec 2014

    2014 Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister

    Now in its sixth year, the List contains books and articles that we believe the Prime Minister – or indeed any Australian – will find stimulating over the break. They are all good reads that we think say something interesting about Australia and its future.

  • 18 Nov 2014

    Australia’s age-based tax and welfare system: is it fair?

    Australia’s tax and welfare system is one of the most tightly targeted in the world. Is age-based welfare justified? Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Services discussed the issues with Grattan Institute CEO, John Daley.

  • 13 Nov 2014

    The future of gas supply and demand in eastern Australia

    The emergence of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities in Queensland means that now for the first time eastern Australian gas is linked to the world market. This Energy Futures seminar explored the impacts this will have on Australian’s that use gas in their home or business.

  • 28 Oct 2014

    Renewable energy and innovation: a particular policy challenge

    Tony Wood’s presentation to the Sustainable Engineering Society, 28 October 2014

  • 21 Oct 2014

    Gas: too good to burn?

    In this Policy Pitch event, Grattan Institute’s Tony Wood and representatives from small and large customers discussed what this dramatic change means for our gas bills, whether we could or should switch away from gas and whether we could see a situation in which our gas is priced out of the market.

  • 14 Oct 2014

    Network tariff reform: a test of political will

    Tony Wood’s presentation at the annual EUAA Conference, 14 October 2014

  • 14 Oct 2014

    The political, economic, social and technological forces reshaping health

    Graduation address (about political, economic, social and technological environment of health care), given by Stephen Duckett, Director Health Program Grattan Institute, on his induction as an Emeritus Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences’ Graduation Ceremony at La Trobe University on 14 October 2014.

  • 08 Oct 2014

    How behavioural economics does and can shape public policy

    Andrew Leigh, in discussion with John Daley, outlined the main lessons of behavioural economics, and discussed the ways that it has affected policymaking in Australia.

  • 03 Oct 2014

    Dying well in Australia

    Stephen Duckett discusses a new Grattan report at an ACHSM Queensland Breakfast Forum on good end of life care,

  • 01 Oct 2014

    Creating low carbon energy supply

    Tony Wood’s presentation at Carlton Connect, 1 October 2014

  • 25 Sep 2014

    Fairer pricing for power – Sydney event

    Australians are paying too much for power. Since 2006 the average household power bill has risen 85 per cent: from $890 to $1660 a year. The prices we pay are also unfair: some people are paying too much, others too little.

  • 25 Sep 2014

    The great money identity

    Keynote presentation by Grattan Health Program Director, Dr Stephen Duckett, at the Australasian College of Health Service Management National Congress, Adelaide, September 2014

  • 19 Sep 2014

    The new NEM : Building with better policy

    Tony Wood’s presentation at the NEM Future Forum on 19 September 2014

  • 17 Sep 2014

    RET review – what does it mean for renewable energy in Australia?

    This Energy Futures seminar presented a range of views from industry experts on the immediate and long-term impacts of possible changes in the renewable energy target in Australia.

  • 16 Sep 2014

    Big ideas for a small state: Grattan views on the policy priorities for the next Victorian Government

    Victorians go to the polls on November 29. What are the big policy questions Victorians should consider before they vote?

  • 19 Aug 2014

    Change to die for?

    The baby boomers are reaching old age and in the next quarter century the number of Australians who die each year will double.

  • 28 Jul 2014

    Mapping the Australian economy

    This event will be launching our new Cities report which raises important questions about whether patterns of housing and transport development that served Australia’s cities so well during the golden age of manufacturing are the right ways to promote prosperity and opportunity into the twenty-first century.

  • 24 Jul 2014

    The Financial System Review and superannuation

    Listen to this expert panel discussion’s “Forward Thinking” event on the issues facing the Financial Systems Review and the emerging directions from the interim report, and the reform agenda for superannuation.

  • 15 Jul 2014

    Fairer pricing for power

    In this Policy Pitch event, Tony Wood, the Energy Program Director from Grattan Institute, and Fran Kelly, the well-known ABC host of RN Breakfast and Insiders, discussed the recently released Grattan report that proposes specific solutions to address the problem.

  • 03 Jul 2014

    After May Day, Australian budgets are still in trouble

    Bracket creep, not the Commonwealth’s May budget, is solving Australia’s short-term fiscal problem. The long-term challenge is as urgent as ever.

  • 25 Jun 2014

    A global gas revolution: Implications for Australian Energy Policy

    Tony Wood’s presentation at the Australian Gas Export Outlook 2014 Conference

  • 24 Jun 2014

    Higher education outside the universities: a better option?

    Public universities will face new price competition as they consider what fees they will charge in a deregulated market.

  • 11 Jun 2014

    ACOSS National Conference

    John Daley discusses the budget ‘crisis’ and the question of how to pay for an ageing population at the ACOSS National Conference on Wednesday 11 June 2014.

  • 28 May 2014

    Energy in 2014: more mines than field

    Based on recent and current Grattan Institute research and analysis, this presentation and discussion brought together the key drivers that are behind a very messy story and assessed where things are likely to go from here.

  • 28 May 2014

    Investing in clean energy: More mines than field

    Tony Wood’s presentation at the G20 Energy Sustainability Working Group Workshop on investing in clean energy in Sydney on 28 May 2014.

  • 20 May 2014

    Super rip-off? Policy options for a better superannuation deal

    This Policy Pitch event highlighted findings from the report, discussed the role that superannuation now plays in the Australian economy, and discussed the reform agenda for the sector.

  • 01 May 2014

    State of Australian budgets – Sydney Event

    Australian governments are increasingly living beyond their means. They are going to need to make tough choices to balance their budgets. But…

  • 15 Apr 2014

    Philanthropists must be realists with their money

    Philanthropy can make a difference to public policy, but only if it abandons some of its dreams.

  • 25 Mar 2014

    A new way to fund hospitals that could save $1 billion

    Stephen Duckett’s presentation about the findings of Grattan Institute’s Controlling costly care report at the South Australian Women’s and Children’s Network’s Futures Forum

  • 18 Feb 2014

    Shock to the system: why power use is falling but bills keep going up

    At this seminar Grattan Institute’s Energy Program team highlighted some of the most pressing problems facing the Australian electricity sector.

  • 04 Feb 2014

    Balancing budgets in difficult times

    John Daley presents on balancing budgets for Urbis, 4 February 2014.

  • 30 Jan 2014

    AHHA Roundtable: 30th Anniversary of Medicare

    Stephen Duckett’s presentation at the AHHA Roundtable for the 30th anniversary of Medicare.

  • 04 Dec 2013

    2013 Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister – Melbourne Event

    Grattan Institute launched our annual Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister at the State Library of Victoria on Wednesday 4 December.

  • 03 Dec 2013

    2013 Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister – Sydney Event

    Lucy Turnbull and John Daley discussed Grattan’s annual Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister at the State Library of NSW on Tuesday 3 December.

  • 28 Nov 2013

    Balancing budgets: tough choices we need

    At this event John Daley and Judith Sloan discussed Grattan’s report Balancing budgets, which lays out the options that Australian governments have to repair their budgets.

  • 12 Nov 2013

    Spreading smart ideas: Policy priorities to accelerate the spread of innovations

    Innovation is about much more than taking Australian inventions to market. Australia needs to capture opportunities in the global innovation system, and adopt and adapt innovations from elsewhere.

  • 11 Nov 2013

    How to survive and thrive in the global gas revolution

    Extraordinary changes to gas demand and supply are shaping energy markets around the world. Australia, at the forefront of change, faces threats and opportunities in getting gas right.

  • 07 Nov 2013

    Sydney Event – Renovating housing policy

    At this free public seminar Dr Rebecca Huntley, Executive Director IPOS Australia, discussed Grattan Institute’s new Cities report with author, Jane-Frances Kelly, Director of the Cities Program.

  • 24 Oct 2013

    Melbourne Event – Renovating housing policy

    Do policies that support home ownership and property investment achieve their objectives and represent value for money? At this free public seminar Peter Verwer, CEO of the Property Council of Australia, discussed the forthcoming Cities report with author, Jane-Frances Kelly, Director of the Cities Program.

  • 14 Oct 2013

    What the squeeze on government budgets means for the welfare sector

    With government budgets under pressure, funds will be more scarce. Advocates for the disadvantaged need to think about how governments can balance their budgets, and which programs provide best value for money.

  • 09 Oct 2013

    Is there still a budget emergency?

    John Daley spoke at the National Press Club of Australia on Wednesday 9 October. Australian governments are increasingly living beyond their means. Health spending in particular is rising. The Global Financial Crisis and the mining boom have both hidden the problems. As Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott declared that Australia has a “budget emergency”. Has anything changed since the Federal election, and how should governments approach their budgets as the mining boom slows?

  • 03 Oct 2013

    PERTH From offshore to onshore – the future of WA’s gas market?

    This seminar explored questions about the importance of new sources of natural gas (CSG and shale gas) in meeting our energy needs and the scientific, environmental, social and economic issues which need to be addressed to develop these resources safely and responsibly.

  • 25 Sep 2013

    Why our wish to be well is putting pressure on our politicians

    Government budgets are under pressure and rising health costs are the biggest single cause. But costs can be managed, if our leaders can be brave.

  • 04 Sep 2013

    Western Australian budget pressure and infrastructure

    Around Australia governments are spending too much and earning too little. Despite the mining boom windfall even the West Australian budget is under pressure. As a result, historically high levels of infrastructure spending are likely to fall.

  • 28 Aug 2013

    SYDNEY Minister Mark Butler on Labor’s Climate Change Strategy

    This public discussion with Mark Butler, Minister for Climate Change, will explore how the Labor Government intends to achieve the target most efficiently and how this would prepare Australia for the long haul of addressing the climate change challenge.

  • 31 Jul 2013

    MELBOURNE Australia and California: The climate action conversation

    Mary Nichols, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board, talked about the successful launch of the California carbon market as well as other major climate policies California has led, and how they intersect with emerging national US policy.

  • 23 May 2013

    SYDNEY Productive cities: opportunity in a changing economy

    At this public seminar, The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, discussed Productive cities with report author, Jane-Frances Kelly, Director of the Grattan Institute Cities Program.

  • 09 May 2013

    Productive cities: opportunity in a changing economy

    Cities are essential to generating economic growth and to creating and sharing opportunities. It is time to put the functioning of our cities squarely on the economic reform agenda.

  • 07 May 2013

    SYDNEY What should be Australia’s emissions reduction target?

    The Climate Change Authority released an Issues Paper as part of its first review of the caps and targets that Australia should adopt for 2020 and toward its long-term emission reduction goal. At this public event, hosted by Grattan Institute, the CEO of the Climate Change Authority, Anthea Harris introduced the Issues Paper.

  • 06 May 2013

    MELBOURNE What should be Australia’s emissions reduction target?

    The Climate Change Authority has released an Issues Paper as part of its first review of the caps and targets that Australia should adopt for 2020 and toward its long-term emission reduction goal.

  • 22 Apr 2013

    Are Australian energy markets functioning efficiently?

    As energy demand in Australia drops, prices continue to rise – important questions need to be raised.

  • 08 Apr 2013

    Electricity distribution pricing: is it fixed yet and are we on track to addressing the problems?

    Distribution costs have been the biggest contributor to major increases in electricity prices in the last few years. At this seminar, John Pierce, the Chair of the Australian Energy Market Commission discussed changes to the way electricity network prices will be determined.

  • 20 Mar 2013

    Ending Australia’s bad drug deal: the three elements of pharmaceutical pricing reform

    Australians are paying far too much for prescription drugs, especially drugs that are no longer under patent. At this free public lecture hosted by ANU Canberra, Stephen Duckett discussed how drug prices are set elsewhere and explained the three steps that will get a much better drug deal for Australia.

  • 07 Mar 2013

    Beware of policies driven by evangelists and vested commercial interests in a good cause.

    Beware of policies driven by evangelists and vested commercial interests in a good cause: the outcome will never be good. Tony Wood’s speech at the National Environmental Law Association’s Delivering a Low Carbon Future conference.

  • 19 Feb 2013

    Making large solar projects viable

    There is a compelling economic argument for subsidising solar power, but some forms of subsidies are better than others. Lucy Carter explores the issues in a presentation to the IQPC’s 3rd Annual Solar Power 2013 conference.

  • 06 Feb 2013

    Planning for low-carbon development: the twin challenge of poverty eradication and emissions reductions

    Professor Harald Winkler of the University of Cape Town was joined by panellists Tony Wood of Grattan Institute and Dr Malte Meinshausen of Melbourne Energy Institute, who discussed the Australian parallels to South Africa’s experience.

  • 11 Dec 2012

    2012 Summer reading list for the Prime Minister

    7.30 Report presenter Leigh Sales joined Grattan Institute’s CEO, John Daley, and Cities Program Director Jane-Frances Kelly, to launch our 2012 Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister.

  • 27 Nov 2012

    Regional growth patterns: evidence from the latest Census

    In this public seminar, Grattan CEO John Daley and Urbis Director Michael Barlow discussed patterns in Australian regional growth as revealed in the 2011 Census, and why government policy is failing to keep up with the rapid growth in coastal and capital city satellite regions.

  • 09 Oct 2012

    Tomorrow’s suburbs – Melbourne

    At this seminar Jane-Frances Kelly and Andrew Whitson, Victorian General Manager Residential at Stockland, discussed the report and its implications.

  • 20 Sep 2012

    Renewables 2012: Positioning Australia in a global context

    The seminar provided insight into advances being made in renewable energy business and policy in both developed and developing economies and the position of the Australian industry within this global context.

  • 13 Sep 2012

    Tomorrow’s suburbs – Sydney

    In Australian cities, new ‘greenfield’ suburbs are being built at a remarkable rate. These new suburbs are often well designed to suit the needs of their initial residents. Yet in a generation the demographic profile of local communities can shift radically. This seminar will explore how can we build in flexibility when planning tomorrow’s suburbs.

  • 21 Aug 2012

    Melbourne – How can instinctive preferences improve policy outcomes?

    Policy makers have begun to pay attention to the growing field of behavioural economics. This seminar explored how behavioural economics can be applied to the design of public policy.

  • 13 Aug 2012

    Graduate winners: public losers?

    Victoria University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Dawkins, will join Andrew Norton, Higher Education Program Director at the Grattan Institute, to discuss Graduate Winners: Assessing the public and private benefits of higher education.

  • 27 Jun 2012

    The future of coal and gas in Australia

    Energy analysts and commentators envisage coal and gas playing major, if not dominant roles in supplying an energy hungry world for many decades. Australia is a major exporter of coal, and coal-based electricity dominates our electricity supply. Gas development is undergoing a revolution driven by technologies that extract it from coal seams and shales and the scale is mind boggling. Yet an effective response to climate change means the combustion of coal and gas as we know it today must cease by mid-century. This seminar in the Energy Futures Series will examine this conundrum, one of the major challenges of our time.

  • 11 Apr 2012

    Rebuilding from the ground up – a National Disability Insurance Scheme

    Disability doesn’t discriminate. And yet for Australians with disability, where you live or how you or a loved one acquire a disability can radically change the care and support you receive.

  • 28 Mar 2012

    Social cities

    Humans are social animals: relationships are critical to our wellbeing. Grattan’s new report, Social Cities, argues that the way we build and organise our cities is crucial to the quantity and quality of social connection, which in turn is critical to our psychological and physical health.

  • 01 Mar 2012

    Multiple climate change policies: killing no birds with two stones?

    Europe wastes billions of euros by having overlapping climate-change policies. Is Australia about to make the same mistake?

  • 28 Feb 2012

    Catching up: learning from the best school systems in East Asia

    The five top-performing systems are Hong Kong, Korea, Shanghai and Singapore, according to OECD’s 2009 PISA assessments. In recent years, Australia and many OECD countries have substantially increased education expenditure, often with disappointing results. Grattan Institute’s new report, Catching up: learning from the best school systems in East Asia, shows how studying the strengths of these systems can improve our children’s lives.

  • 15 Feb 2012

    No easy choices: which way to Australia’s energy future?

    Andrew Charlton, a former senior economic adviser to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, spoke with Energy Program Director, Tony Wood, at the launch of the report ‘No easy choices: which way to Australia’s energy future?’ .

  • 09 Feb 2012

    Australian higher education: trends, policies, performance

    Andrew Norton, Grattan Institute’s Higher Education Program Director, discussed the program’s first report with Julie Hare, Higher Education editor at The Australian, at this public event in Sydney.

  • 14 Nov 2011

    The economics and politics of teacher merit pay

    Can merit pay be made to work? Andrew Leigh MP discussed the issue with John Daley, Grattan’s CEO.

  • 25 Oct 2011

    How will Australia’s changing energy system reshape transport

    Experts in research, policy and industry explored the technologies that could be used to decarbonise the transport system and the challenges associated with making new technologies operational.

  • 25 Oct 2011

    Measuring educational quality

    Leading education adviser Dr Brian Stecher discussed recent changes in education policy in the United States and considered the lessons Australia might learn from the US experience.

  • 04 Oct 2011

    The spirit of cities

    Daniel Bell discussed the findings of his book on the modern role of cities with Jane-Frances Kelly, Grattan’s Cities Program Director.

  • 27 Sep 2011

    The challenges of learning from others

    Professor Yong Zhao, Presidential Chair, Associate Dean of the College of Education at the University of Oregon, discussed the benefits and pitfalls of international policy research.

  • 28 Jul 2011

    How to create a world class university

    What does it take to create a world-class university. Professor Andrew Hamilton, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, discussed this question with a panel of Australian higher education leaders.

  • 19 Jul 2011

    Big shifts in the global economy

    Professor Michael Spence, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, examined how emerging economies are reshaping the global economy and the international order.

  • 07 Jun 2011

    Trading our way to more jobs and prosperity

    Trade Minister, the Hon. Craig Emerson MP, discussed how sound trade policy and solid economic reform should work hand-in-hand.

  • 02 Jun 2011

    Investing in regions: making a difference

    Grattan Institute partnered with the Committee for Ballarat — one of Australia’s fast-growing regions — to launch its latest report “Investing in regions: Making a difference”.

  • 02 May 2011

    Better teacher appraisal and feedback: improving performance

    Dr Ben Jensen, Grattan Institute’s School Education Program Director, presented and discussed the findings of his report *Better Teacher Appraisal and Feedback: Improving Performance*.

  • 19 Apr 2011

    Current trends in civic engagement in the USA

    Harvard political scientist Professor Robert Putnam, a pioneer of research in social capital, explained to Grattan Cities Program Director Jane-Frances Kelly how communities have become increasingly disconnected and how that might change.

  • 05 Apr 2011

    Manufacturing regained: new prospects for business and regional communities

    Dan Swinney, Executive Director of the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council, reflected on the Council’s 25-year effort to maintain and expand high-skilled manufacturing jobs.

  • 17 Mar 2011

    Progress on education reform in Australia

    Following the release of the second version of *MySchool*, Peter Garrett, Minister for Early Childhood, School Education and Youth, outlined the direction of education reform for the coming year and beyond.

  • 03 Dec 2010

    Infrastructure investment and productivity

    With Australia’s productivity performance continuing to deteriorate, the nation needs to look at how to foster the next round of productivity growth. Grattan Institute’s productivity growth program is investigating the reasons for this decline and various remedies for it, including enhancing the quantity and quality of Australia’s stock of infrastructure, improvements to skills and vocational training, and the role of innovation.

  • 25 Nov 2010

    Wellbeing in public policy practice

    In the last in a series of three seminars about social and environmental measures for public policy. Treasury Secretary Ken Henry joined a panel of experts to discuss the statistical measurement of well-being.

  • 23 Nov 2010

    Effective performance management: the next challenge for our schools

    Dr Ben Jensen, Director of Grattan’s School Education Program, explained at this event why a new era of transparency will force considerable change in our schools.

  • 11 Nov 2010

    Understanding Australia’s productivity performance

    At this Grattan event, Productivity Growth Program Director Saul Eslake discussed how productivity growth is vital to meeting several of Australia’s important economic challenges, and assessed the reasons for the marked deterioration in Australia’s productivity growth performance over the past decade.

  • 08 Nov 2010

    The social life of cities

    Thinking about social design for cities is lagging behind thinking on economic and environmental issues, Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of Britain’s Young Foundation, argued in this Grattan seminar.

  • 28 Oct 2010

    Resilient cities

    At this Grattan seminar, Neil McInroy, Chief Executive of the Manchester-based Centre for Local Economic Strategies, discussed how cities and communities cope effectively with the challenges of growth.

  • 26 Oct 2010

    Australian cities: liveable and sustainable?

    Australian cities rate highly internationally on liveability and well-being indices. State and metropolitan governments are keen to promote the liveability of their cities as a means of attracting mobile capital, skilled labour and tourists.

  • 19 Oct 2010

    Cities: who decides?

    t the launch of Grattan’s latest report, Cities: Who Decides?, Program Director Jane-Frances Kelly explained how cities around the developed world that have grown successfully usually involved their citizens in understanding and managing change.

  • 30 Apr 2014

    Coping with hotter summers: the challenge for our electricity system

    Climate change means that we are facing hotter summers. As homes and businesses switch on their air conditioners on a hot summer afternoon…

  • 25 May 2010

    What teachers want: better teacher management

    At this Grattan Institute event Dr Ben Jensen, Grattan’s Program Director for School Education, discussed the program’s second report, What Teachers Want: Better Teacher Management.

  • 06 May 2010

    Economic returns to education

    What are the links between education and productivity? With the Australian school education system currently going through a major reform, Grattan Institute hosted a seminar which discussed the relationship between education and economic returns. Will the proposed education reforms make a difference to Australian productivity?

  • 23 May 2010

    Water competition: the UK experience

    Over the past decade, water restrictions have been imposed in many Australian cities. There have also been significant investments to augment supplies, which are coming on-line. With the immediate risks to water security abating, there is now an opportunity to explore how delivery of water services could be improved in the future.

  • 11 Mar 2010

    In defence of liberty

    The Hon. Joe Hockey MP, Shadow Treasurer, spoke at Grattan Institute on Thursday 11 March 2010. His speech ‘In Defence of Liberty’ pursued the theme that as a nation we have not struck the right balance between individual freedoms and collectivism. This will be an influential contribution to a core issue of our times.

  • 28 Feb 2010

    Measuring what matters: student progress

    Grattan Institute is released its first public report “Measuring what matters: student progress” on Wednesday 27 January 2010, looking at the issue of measuring school performance. This issue is relevant to the Commonwealth government’s launch of the “my school” website of school performance.

  • 01 Dec 2009

    Governing growing cities

    Australia is famously one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with our cities producing the bulk of GDP and jobs. Today our cities are on the front line of responding to climate change, and are projected to significantly increase in size.

  • 29 Sep 2009

    Aftermath of a financial crisis

  • 19 Aug 2009

    Global financial crisis: an Australian perspective

    Saul Eslake delivers the Shann Memorial Lecture at the University of Western Australia.

  • 20 Apr 2009

    Thomas E. Mann Visit, Brookings Institution

    Prestigious US political commentator Thomas E. Mann was brought to Australia by the University of Melbourne as a 2009 Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellow and spoke at the launch of Grattan Institute in April 2009.

  • 15 Apr 2014

    State of Australian budgets

    This event provided a sneak preview of Grattan’s upcoming report on the state of our budgets, and discussed what can be done to repair them.

  • 18 Mar 2014

    Global influences on Australia

    The Policy Pitch – Grattan Institute and the State Library of Victoria held this event featuring the Lowy Institute for International Policy.

  • 27 Feb 2014

    Energy Storage – What Scale? What Cost? What Impact?

    Is energy storage the ‘next big thing’ that will enable greater deployment of renewable energy and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions?

  • 30 Jan 2014

    The future of materials in meeting our alternative energy challenges

    The Melbourne Materials Institute, the Melbourne Energy Institute, and the Grattan Institute hosted a free public lecture by Dr Eric Isaacs, Director of the Argonne National Laboratory, USA.

  • 01 Jan 2014

    The Policy Pitch

    The State Library of Victoria has announced a new collaboration with Grattan Institute to create The Policy Pitch, a series of free public seminars that examine key policy issues facing Australia today.

  • 06 Nov 2013

    Our winners and losers in the global gas revolution

    By 2017 Australia could be the world’s biggest gas exporter. But Australian consumers will have to pay a price.

  • 21 Aug 2013

    BRISBANE Unconventional gas – energy saviour or environmental problem?

    The new “gas rush” created by the rise of unconventional gas technologies is a politically-charged issue. This seminar delved into the environmental risks and the implications for our energy market.

  • 19 Aug 2013

    ADELAIDE The Coalition’s climate change strategy

    The Federal Government and Opposition agree that Australia must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020. They disagree strongly, though, on how to do it. This public discussion explored the Opposition’s policy with the Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Greg Hunt.

  • 08 Aug 2013

    Why welfare dominates government budgets

    Australian welfare spending trends: past changes and future drivers, presented by John Daley

  • 16 Jul 2013

    The Coalition’s climate change strategy

    The Federal Government and Opposition agree that Australia must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020. They disagree strongly, though, on how to do it. This public discussion explored the Coalition’s climate change strategy with the Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Greg Hunt.

  • 02 Jul 2013

    Unconventional gas – energy saviour or environmental problem?

    This seminar explored how important might unconventional gas (CSG and shale gas) be to Australia’s economy and domestic energy sector.

  • 04 Jun 2013

    Superannuation’s contribution to Australia’s economic future

    John Daley, CEO of Grattan Institute, presented on super’s contribution to Australia’s economic and social future at the ASFA Investment Interchange on 4 June 2013.

  • 30 May 2013

    Mineral Resources Rent Tax – will it work?

    This seminar explored this issue and looked at how Australia’s mining tax can be improved from here.

  • 13 Mar 2013

    Alliance 21 Australia – USA policy exchange: education and innovation

    Grattan Institute is taking part in the Alliance 21 project that is exploring shared policy interests between Australia and the United States, and providing an independent assessment of the future of the US-Australia alliance.

  • 02 Nov 2012

    The end of big government budgets — what next?

    Grattan CEO John Daley spoke to the 2012 Economic and Social Outlook Conference on why governments will have to make tough budget decisions in the years ahead.

  • 24 Oct 2012

    Building the bridge: a practical plan

    Tony Wood’s presentation at the Solar Cities Conference

  • 22 Oct 2012

    Low emission technology landscape: It ain’t pretty

    Tony Wood’s presentation at the National Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Conference

  • 15 Oct 2012

    The future of carbon pricing and the Australian electricity market

    At this free public seminar Professor Ross Garnaut explored the issues of incentives for renewable energy and the RET, the future fuel mix (optimal and what is likely under carbon price) and the impacts of the current low wholesale price.

  • 22 Aug 2012

    The future of electricity demand in Australia

    Demand for electricity traded on the National Electricity Market has fallen in real terms for each of the last three years and is now down almost 14% on 2008 projections. Why is demand changing and how it is likely to impact the business of electricity?

  • 22 Aug 2012

    Canberra – How can instinctive preferences improve policy outcomes?

    Policy makers have begun to pay attention to the growing field of behavioural economics. This seminar explored how behavioural economics can be applied to the design of public policy.

  • 20 Aug 2012

    Is the high Aussie dollar really bad for the Australian and Victorian economies?

    John Daley, Grattan CEO, spoke to an Economic Society of Australia event at the University of Melbourne on the high dollar as part of a panel with Professor W. Max Corden of Melbourne University and Ross Gittins from the Sydney Morning Herald.

  • 13 Aug 2012

    Coal seam gas: economic bonanza or environmental disaster?

    At the Noosa Longweekend Festival in June 2012, Tony Wood, Grattan Institute’s Energy Program Director, formed part of an expert panel for an important discussion on the impacts of coal seam gas.

  • 25 Jul 2012

    Perth – Game changers: reform priorities for economic growth in Australia

    Why Australian governments must act now to sustain Australia’s growth. IPAA WA hosted this important discussion about economic reform imperatives.

  • 04 Jul 2012

    Canberra – Game-changers: reform priorities for economic growth in Australia

    If Australian governments are serious about raising rates of economic growth, they must reform the tax mix and increase the workforce participation rates of women and older people.

  • 13 Jun 2012

    Melbourne – Game-changers: reform priorities for economic growth in Australia

    Grattan Institute’s report Game-changers: reform priorities for economic growth in Australia was released 7 June.

  • 12 Jun 2012

    Sydney – Game-changers: economic reform priorities for Australia

    If Australian governments are serious about raising rates of economic growth, they must reform the tax mix and increase the workforce participation rates of women and older people. There’s nothing else big enough to change the game over the next decade.

  • 06 Dec 2012

    The next Energy White Paper

    Tony Wood assesses how key challenges will frame Australia’s next Energy White Paper at a US-Australia Dialogue on Energy Security

  • 21 Nov 2011

    Getting the housing we want: report launch

    To launch Grattan Institute’s report ‘Getting the housing we want’, former Victorian Premier, John Brumby, spoke with Cities Program Director, Jane-Frances Kelly.

  • 10 Nov 2011

    The future of solar power in Australia

    Grattan Institute’s Energy Program Director, Tony Wood, chaired a seminar to consider how solar power will shape the development of energy market.

  • 05 Dec 2011

    2011 Summer reading list for the Prime Minister

    Leading political commentator George Megalogenis joined Grattan’s CEO, John Daley, and Cities Program Director Jane-Frances Kelly, to launch our annual Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister.

  • 24 Aug 2011

    The future of the electricity network in Australia

    A panel of experts considered the question: “what is the optimal design to support a very different energy system in the 21st century?”

  • 20 Jul 2011

    The future of wind energy in Australia

    Wind is one of the lowest cost zero-carbon energy sources available. In this seminar, an expert panel explored national and international wind market trends.

  • 27 Jun 2011

    The housing we’d choose

    Grattan Institute Cities Program Director Jane-Frances Kelly discussed the issues raised in the report, “The Housing We’d Choose”, with Grattan’s CEO John Daley.

  • 11 May 2011

    Sustainable energy: at what cost?

    Experts from industry and academia discussed the issues surrounding the transition from a carbon intensive energy system to a sustainable, low-carbon system.

  • 14 Apr 2011

    Global perspective: implementing carbon pricing in a world of political resistance and evolving international participation

    An expert panel discussed the need to develop an approach to carbon pricing that leaves room for evolution and also provides incentives to broaden international action.

  • 30 Mar 2011

    Carbon emissions: subsidies, incentives or taxes – what makes effective policy?

    Grattan Institute staff, energy policy experts, and politicians identified the carbon emission reduction programs Australia should retain and pursue.

  • 29 Jun 2010

    The cities we need

    Grattan Cities Program Director Jane-Frances Kelly discussed the program’s first report, The Cities We Need, with Grattan CEO John Daley.

  • 01 Jun 2010

    Mapping social cohesion: 2009 Scanlon Foundation report

    Grattan Institute hosted a discussion with Professor Andrew Markus, director of the Scanlon Foundation’s Social Cohesion Research Program, to talk about the findings of the 2009 Scanlon report into social cohesion.

  • 13 May 2010

    People, pride and purpose

    After decades of decline, Chicago, Glasgow and Manchester are experiencing a renaissance. Different cities have different stories to tell. However, three ingredients are common across all these cities; people, pride and purpose.

  • 28 Apr 2010

    Restructuring the Australian economy to emit less carbon

    Grattan Institute released its public report “Restructuring the Australian Economy to Emit Less Carbon” on Thursday 22 April 2010. Using a detailed analysis of Australian industries’ own data, the report concludes the proposed free permits being offered by the Federal Government under its carbon pricing scheme are unnecessary.

  • 25 Mar 2010

    Carbon pricing: is a tax better than emissions trading?

    Grattan Institute hosted a seminar on energy policy, with special guest Dr Cameron Hepburn. This seminar provided an opportunity for detailed discussion about climate change policy around the world, and what it means for Australia. We discussed the economics of various options for designing carbon pricing schemes.

  • 17 Mar 2010

    American cities: a 21st century urban agenda

    State and Federal Governments in the U.S. have grappled for decades with urban issues such as urban regeneration and affordable housing. As Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Urban Development in the Clinton Administration, Henry Cisneros was at the centre of these efforts.

  • 04 Feb 2010

    Changing social needs and innovative ways to meet them

    Dr Geoff Mulgan, Director of the Young Foundation, is one of the world’s leading experts on social and organisational innovation. Straight from ANZSOG, he gave a mid afternoon seminar for Grattan Institute, sharing his knowledge about social and organisational innovation, what it is and how to it can be applied in Australian cities. He discussed his current research on the changing social needs of society.

  • 01 Feb 2010

    Political polarisation: lessons from the United States

    David Brady, Professor of Political Science and Leadership Values, and Deputy Director, Hoover Institution, Stanford University, will be beginning Grattan’s 2010 events program, taking part in a Q and A seminar.

  • 09 Dec 2009

    Australia-US relationship and the President partnership agenda

    Grattan Institute invites you to hear the new US Ambassador, Jeffrey L. Bleich, in his first public appearance in Melbourne. He discussed the Australia-US relationship, and how President Obama plans to strengthen it into the future.

  • 05 Nov 2009

    After the crisis: what are the social policy challenges

    Australian experience of the global financial crisis has turned out to be remarkably benign, both by comparison with that of most other advanced economies and with what was commonly expected in the early stages of the crisis.

  • 05 Nov 2009

    The pricing of carbon emissions and international trade

    The United States, the European Union, and other developed nations, including Australia, are moving towards regimes to put a price on carbon emissions. Daniel Price addressed questions such as: Are shifts in location to avoid carbon emission costs likely?

  • 01 Oct 2009

    Key challenges for Australian economic managers

    Australian economic policy makers face any number of challenges at the moment and it is not possible to do justice to them in 5-10 minutes.

  • 09 Sep 2009

    Trade policy and climate change policy: some inconvenient truths

    The economic distortions associated with arbitrary allocations of free emissions permits to trade exposed industries in Australia is just one part of a global story. Without an effective international approach, this will contribute to a breakdown of the WTO based global trading system. Professor Garnaut discussed the problem and the way out.

  • 20 Apr 2009

    The launch of Grattan Institute

    Remarks by John Daley, Chief Executive of Grattan Institute on the evening of the formal launch on 20 April 2009.

Programs

Programs