Economic and Political Outlook 2021

Check out CEDA's new report featuring insights from economists and political commentators on the year ahead.

Events and programs

Delivering on purpose

CEDA events inform and stimulate broad public awareness, discussion and debate of the critical issues impacting Australia’s social and economic development.

Key Events

Aged Care Royal Commission: The Way Forward

Friday, 12 March 2021

Interactive Livestream

CEDA welcomes Senator the Hon. Richard Colbeck for a keynote address on the Government’s response to the final report and their forward plans to improve the quality and safety in aged care and its service delivery in Australia.
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Net Zero: Jobs and Opportunities in a Climate Positive Future

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Interactive Livestream

Transitioning to a low-carbon world has been called a $26 trillion opportunity. So how do we ensure that Australia doesn't miss out? For the first event in our Climate Change series, we hear from Prof Ross Garnaut on the benefits of a net-zero future.
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Western Sydney: What Next for the Aerotropolis?

Tuesday, 30 March 2021

Parramatta

With the Federal Government investing $5.3bn to deliver the Western Sydney airport, CEDA brings together key stakeholders to discuss the future development and success of the region.
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See our upcoming events

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ABOUT CEDA EVENTS

Join leaders, be informed and be part of the discussion.

The CEDA events program delivers the latest thinking from experts and decision makers on policy issues critical for Australia’s success.

Our events program is sharply curated to deliver for our audience informed debated on the most topical issues, intel on emerging policy developments and continued focus on new and innovative policy solutions to intractable issues.

CEDA examines issues through the lens of local, regional and national development, spanning from education and skills to climate change and energy; infrastructure and essential services to population and disadvantage.

Delivered face-to-face and virtually to ensure our discussions reach a broad audience, the quality and calibre of CEDA events sees us attracting annual audiences of more than 50,000.

Event formats tailored to audience and issues

PUBLIC EVENTS 

Face-to-face

From the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, State Premiers, CEOs of the ASX Top 200 to leading academics, CEDA events deliver top speakers, often to blockbuster crowds, looking at the critical issues.

Our reputation for quality events mean we attract a high-level and engaged audience, offering the opportunity to make valuable connections.

INTERACTIVE LIVESTREAM EVENTS

CEDA’s interactive livestream events enable us to attract diverse speakers, including from overseas, and to reach very significant audiences across the country in a convenient and highly efficient format.

Audience engagement is a priority for CEDA, and registered guests can watch and engage live with the discussion by submitting questions for the Q&A and participating in online polls.

They also receive priority access to presentations and videos following the event. Livestreams are free for members, meaning all employees of member organisations can access and participate in our livestreams.

HYBRID EVENTS

Combining the best of both face-to-face and virtual events for nationally significant issues, CEDA’s hybrid events offer the opportunity for guests to be in the room or attend virtually.

TRUSTEE BRIEFINGS

Trustee roundtable discussions

CEDA convenes regular face-to-face and virtual roundtable discussions with experts to discuss the important issues facing Australia. Held under the Chatham House Rule, Trustee roundtables enable frank and fearless discussion of key issues and topics with peers.

A valued membership benefit, these discussions are exclusive to appointed Trustees of CEDA member organisations and are included as part of an organisation’s membership.

C-Suite program

Our national members can also access C-Suite level discussions, including CEO, CFO, HRD and CIO roundtables, with high-profile speakers from the private and public sector.

Annual signature events

EPO 

Running for more than 30 years, CEDA’s annual Economic and Political Outlook (EPO) marks the start of our programming year with events held in February to coincide with the release of CEDA’s annual EPO report. The events and report provide analysis from leading economists and political commentators on the economic and political environment business will be operating in for the year ahead.

Sir Douglas Copland Lecture

Sir Douglas Copland’s legacy of international cooperation is acknowledged through CEDA’s Copland Lecture. It delivers a high calibre speaker with an international focus. This lecture has brought the views and perspectives of a distinguished line-up of speakers including Nobel Laureates, business leaders and politicians.

State of the Nation

State of the Nation is a multi-day forum traditionally delivered from Parliament House, Canberra. It delivers briefings and discussions with senior government ministers, shadow ministers, public servants and business leaders. State of the Nation has been running for more than 40 years and is also available via livestream. This year’s forum is scheduled for 23-25 June 2021.

Annual Dinner

CEDA's Annual Dinner features an address by a prominent Australian leader. Each November, CEDA hosts its Annual Dinner with a biennial keynote address by the Reserve Bank of Australia Governor. On alternate years, the address is provided by a leading Australian figure. Recent speakers have included the Federal Treasurer, the Hon. Josh Frydenberg, and former Prime Minister, the Hon. Paul Keating.

State of the State

State of the State events are held with state premiers around the country annually and provide a platform to hear directly from Premiers on state performance, priorities and plans.  

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See what’s coming up at CEDA

CEDA events highlight a diverse range of state and national issues throughout the year. Explore our upcoming events program.



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Copland leadership program

Developing emerging leaders from business, academia, community and government sectors.

CEDA recognises the leadership and insight of its founder Sir Douglas Copland and responds to the contemporary demands on leaders operating in rapidly changing business environments by delivering the Copland Leadership Program.

This program provides a challenging development environment for emerging leaders from business, academia, community and government sectors.

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WHAT AUSTRALIAN LEADERS SAY

01// 14
Prime Minister of Australia The Hon. Scott Morrison
"For 60 years, CEDA has been part of the debates that have shaped the Australian economy. Now in 2020, facing the greatest global economic shock since the Great Depression, CEDA is again well-placed to inform the policies needed for Australia’s recovery. CEDA’s founder, Sir Douglas Copland spoke of chasing what he called the “adventure of growth”. It is a quest that I think aligns precisely with today’s challenge, as we look to recover from the health and economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic."
Former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick Australian Human Rights Commission
"I do just want to congratulate CEDA on the leadership they're showing in our nation on assisting to address the under representation of women, particularly at senior leadership level, but not only that, to really persuasively put the case that gender equality benefits all of us."
Secretary Frances Adamson Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
"CEDA is doing great work in analysing and promoting discussion for some of the most challenging and important questions facing Australians today including productivity growth, demographic changes and energy policy to name a few. And through this work CEDA is deeply engaged in the conversation about how Australia will develop in the Asian century."
Federal Shadow Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers
"We have enormous regard for the work that CEDA does in collaboration…with so many of the businesses, the higher education institutions and other organisations. We take the work of CEDA very seriously of course, the Company Pulse is important to me, the fiscal repair paper from not that long ago, the Connecting people with progress paper – all these sorts of things are really important inputs into our thinking and our work here in this building, in general but specifically in my case the work in the economic team in the Federal Opposition. "
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon. Penny Wong
"CEDA is a great organisation because it deals with some of the big issues and as you're non-partisan, you get really good engagement. So I would encourage you to keep doing what you're doing. Thank you for the work that you do."
Former Governor Glenn Stevens Reserve Bank of Australia
"CEDA has, for half a century, sought to promote informed discussion and balanced development of the Australian economy. That long-run perspective is never more important than at times like the present, when a cyclical event is under way and confidence tends, understandably, to wane."
Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies Professor Marcia Langton AM The University of Melbourne
"I have attended several CEDA events and I agree with others that the cross-sectoral mix of participants and speakers, the neutrality of the presenters, their rigor, their respect for diversity, willingness to innovate and frankness are rare qualities in our public life, making CEDA an ever more important national institution."
Former Prime Minister of Australia The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull
"The Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) was established more than half a century ago as an apolitical forum focused on major policy questions facing the nation. Over the years it has participated in several of our most contentious debates over changes that challenged prevailing economic or social orthodoxies. So it isn’t news to anyone at CEDA that structural economic reform is profoundly politically challenging."
Professorial Research Fellow in Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics Professor Ross Garnaut The University of Melbourne
"CEDA has played a big role in providing important public policy discussion for a long period of time."
Former Prime Minister of Australia The Hon. Julia Gillard
"Organisations like CEDA have an important role to play in promoting public policy debate about how we tackle the great challenge… and the long term productivity of this nation."
Federal Foreign Affairs Minister The Hon. Marise Payne
"CEDA has, over 50 years, carved out a very well-earned reputation for cutting edge thinking on the key issues that affect our nations prosperity. CEDA’s success owes as much to the quality and the utility of its research, as to its broad engagement across business, across government, across community organisations and academia."
Former Prime Minister of Australia The Hon. Paul Keating
"CEDA has been an important contributor to the national economic debate, now, for a long time. The range of its interests and the breadth of its membership equips it to make an enhanced contribution as these challenges come in on us."
Federal Deputy Opposition Leader, Shadow Minister for Education and Training The Hon. Tanya Plibersek
"CEDA plays an important part in advancing the national conversation on economic and social policy. Having a strong contest of policy ideas is central to my approach to the health portfolio, and I thank CEDA for its role in promoting informed, thoughtful debate."
Former Governor General of Australia The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO
"Since its founding by Sir Douglas Copland… the Committee for Economic Development of Australia has played an influential role in shaping our country's public policy and best practice in evolving economic, social, cultural and international contexts.... CEDA is an important partner in Australia's democracy."