Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP | Bernie Fraser Oration 2026
Description
We are delighted to announce the Treasurer of Australia, Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP will deliver the 2026 Bernie Fraser Oration.
Launched by The Australia Institute to honour Bernie Fraser’s significant contribution to economic and public policy in Australia, the annual oration features leading voices in Australian public life to reflect on the key challenges and opportunities facing our country.
Jim Chalmers is Australia’s leading economic policymaker and sits at the heart of the nation’s economic decision-making, serving as Treasurer since 2022.
The Bernie Fraser Oration honours a tradition of independent thinking, intellectual rigour and public service. Bernie Fraser was one of Australia’s most influential economic policymakers, serving as Secretary to the Treasury before becoming Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia from 1989 to 1996.
Join us for an evening honouring Bernie Fraser’s enduring contribution to Australian economic policy and public life, and celebrating the continuation of his namesake oration.
The Australia Institute is one of Australia’s most influential public policy think tanks, conducting independent research that drives the public debate and secures policy outcomes for a more equitable Australia.
Photography, Video and Audio Recording
By attending this event, you acknowledge that photos, video, and audio recordings may be captured. The Australia Institute may use this material for event promotion, reporting, and future communications across digital and print channels. Event details including speakers, timing, content, and format may change without notice.
Contact
Questions: events@australiainstitute.org.au
Copyright © 2026 The Australia Institute. All rights reserved.
Speaker
Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP
Jim Chalmers is the Treasurer of Australia. He has been the Member for Rankin in the House of Representatives since 2013, proudly representing the people and suburbs of southern Brisbane and Logan City where he was born, grew up and made a home with Laura, Leo, Annabel, and Jack. He served as Shadow Treasurer from 2019 to 2022, and Shadow Minister for Finance from 2016 to 2019. Prior to Jim’s election to Parliament, he was the Executive Director of the Chifley Research Centre and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer. He has a PhD in political science and international relations from the Australian National University and a first class honours degree in public policy from Griffith University, and is a qualified company director. Jim’s most recent book, Changing Jobs: the Fair Go in the New Machine Age, was co-authored with Mike Quigley and published in 2017. His earlier book about the Global Financial Crisis, Glory Daze, was released in 2013.
Dr Richard Denniss
Dr Richard Denniss is a leading Australian economist and public policy expert whose work explores the intersection of economics, democracy, power and the public interest. As co-Chief Executive Officer of The Australia Institute, Australia's leading independent public policy think tank, he is at the forefront of national debates on economic reform, democracy, energy and climate policy, taxation, industry policy and the role of government. Over more than two decades, Richard has worked across academia, federal politics and public policy, building a reputation as one of Australia's most influential public thinkers. He is the author of numerous influential books and essays, including More Fool Me: How the Gas Industry Tricked Australia, Big: The Role of the State in the Modern Economy, Dead Centre: How Political Pragmatism Is Killing Us, Econobabble, Curing Affluenza, and the bestselling Affluenza. He is also the author of the acclaimed Quarterly Essay Dead Right: How Neoliberalism Ate Itself and What Comes Next.
Bernie Fraser
Bernie Fraser
Mr Bernie Fraser commenced his career in 1961 at the Department of National Development before moving to the Treasury in 1963. After working as Treasury's representative in London in the early 1970s, he served in senior roles at the Department of Finance and the National Energy Office before serving as Treasury Secretary from 1984 to 1989. From 1989 to 1996, Mr Fraser then served as RBA Governor and is the only person to have led both the Treasury and the Reserve Bank of Australia. Mr Fraser holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Economics from the University of New England and has been awarded two Honorary Doctorates from Australian universities.
Highlights from Inaugural Bernie Fraser Oration 2025
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
