Revenue Summit 2026
Description
Good policy is about choices – and you can tell a lot about a government's priorities by who they choose to tax and where they spend the money.
We are at a crucial point in our history. A stronger and fairer tax system is essential to strengthen public institutions and guard against rising political instability and disillusionment.
This year, the Australia Institute's Revenue Summit brings together Australian policymakers, academics and independent experts to examine what isn't working in our current system – and what can be done to fix it.
The Summit will focus on the urgent need for Australia to raise more revenue to reduce inequality, reshape the economy and ensure Australians receive a fair share from our natural resources.
We are the world's 12th-largest economy and one of its largest fossil fuel exporters, yet our students pay more in HECS/HELP than the gas industry pays in the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax. Meanwhile, we know a 25% tax on gas exports could raise $17 billion a year.
The 2026 Revenue Summit is an opportunity to reassess our priorities and help make Australia a fairer place.
Speakers include:
Senator Barbara Pocock | Greens Spokesperson for Finance, Employment and Public Sector; Senator for South Australia
Senator David Pocock | Independent Senator for the Australian Capital Territory
Dr Kristen Sobeck | Lecturer in Economics, University of Canberra & Research Affiliate, The Tax and Transfer Policy Institute
Saul Eslake | Independent Economist
Maiy Azize | National Spokesperson, Everybody’s Home & Deputy Director, Anglicare Australia
Thomas Mayo | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man & Assistant National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia
Muriel Cummins | President, Occupational Therapy Society & Member of Every Australian Counts Steering Committee
Sophie Cusworth | Chief Executive Officer, Women With Disabilities Australia
Megan Spindler-Smith | Acting Chief Executive Officer, People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
Dr Ben Spies-Butcher | Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Future Work
Dr Alice Grundy | Research Manager, The Australia Institute
Matt Grudnoff | Senior Economist, The Australia Institute
Greg Jericho | Chief Economist, The Australia Institute
Ebony Bennett | Deputy Director, The Australia Institute
Leanne Minshull | co-Chief Executive Officer, The Australia Institute
Dr Richard Denniss | co-Chief Executive Officer, The Australia Institute
More speakers to be announced soon.
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.
The Revenue Summit 2026 is a non-partisan forum that brings together Australian policymakers, academics, and independent experts to promote evidence-based policymaking.
Event information
This is an in-person event.
Please include any dietary requirements during registration.
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.
Expression of Interest
If you would like to attend the Revenue Summit but require financial assistance to purchase a ticket, please email events@australiainstitute.org.au with a brief introduction about yourself and why you would like to attend the Summit.
Contact
events@australiainstitute.org.au
Copyright © 2026 The Australia Institute. All rights reserved.
Speaker
Senator Barbara Pocock
Barbara Pocock is a Greens senator for SA. Concern about the consequences of climate change took her to the Senate in 2022. She is currently the Greens spokesperson for Housing and Homelessness, Workplace Relations and Employment, Finance and the Public Sector. She is an economist who has spent her life fighting for the rights of working people, women and low-income workers. She was awarded an AM for services to industrial relations research and social justice in 2010. She has written many books and articles, worked in shearing sheds, on farms, in universities, in government and as a mother. She helped establish MOSSA: Mothers for a Sustainable South Australia, which remains outspoken in opposition to nuclear waste disposal in SA.
Senator David Pocock
Senator David Pocock is Independent Senator for the Australian Capital Territory. Having migrated from Zimbabwe with his family as a teenager, David went on to captain the Wallabies and Vice-Captain the Brumbies as part of a stellar rugby career in which he has been awarded for leadership on and off the field. With a Masters in Sustainable Agriculture, David also has a track record as a powerful advocate on issues ranging from climate to marriage equality. He has been involved in multiple small businesses and has co-founded numerous not-for-profit community initiatives in Australia and overseas, including with his wife Emma. In 2021, David attended the COP26 climate summit and led The Cool Down campaign that saw over 470 Australian athletes from 40+ sports call on the Australian Government to lift its ambition on climate change. After campaigning on a platform of integrity, doing politics differently and making Canberra count, David was successfully elected at the 21 May 2022 Federal Election.
Dr Kristen Sobeck
Dr Kristen Sobeck is a Lecturer in Economics at the University of Canberra. She is also a Research Affiliate at the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute and an Affiliate with the Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. She has published various policy reports on wage and income policies, as well as tax policies and tax reform in Australia. Some of her on-going research focuses on domestic violence and its interaction with the tax and transfer system. Prior to joining the University of Canberra, she worked at the Australian National University and as an economist at the International Labour Organization.
Saul Eslake
Saul Eslake worked as an economist in the Australian financial markets for more than 25 years, including as Chief Economist at McIntosh Securities (a stockbroking firm) in the late 1980s, Chief Economist (International) at National Mutual Funds Management in the early 1990s, as Chief Economist at the Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) from 1995 to 2009, and as Chief Economist (Australia & New Zealand) for Bank of America Merrill Lynch from 2011 until June 2015. In between these last two positions he was Director of the Productivity Growth program at the then newly-established Grattan Institute, a ‘think tank’. In July 2015 Saul started up his own economics consultancy business, operating out of Hobart, and in April 2016 took up a part-time position as a Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Tasmania. Last year he completed an Independent Review of Tasmania’s Public Sector Finances, pursuant to the agreement between the Premier of Tasmania and members of the Jacqui Lambie Network in the aftermath of the 2024 state election. This year he undertook an assessment of the cases for and against the possible privatisation or divestment of 16 different business entities owned by the Tasmanian State Government. Saul is a member of the Australian Parliamentary Budget Office’s Advisory Panel; the Australian Taxation Office’s ‘Tax Gap’ Advisory Panel; is on the Advisory Board of Jamieson Coote Bonds, a Melbourne-based specialist bond investment manager; and is a member of the Board of the Council on the Ageing. Saul has a first class honours degree in Economics from the University of Tasmania, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia. In December 2012 he was awarded an Honorary LLD degree by the University of Tasmania. He has also completed the Senior Executive Program at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business in New York.
Maiy Azize
Maiy Azize is the National Spokesperson for Everybody’s Home, a campaign to fix Australia’s housing crisis. Maiy is also the Deputy Director of Anglicare Australia, a network of welfare and caring organisations linked to the Anglican Church. She has authored many reports and studies, including Written Off: The High Cost of Australia's Unfair Tax System for Everybody’s Home and Asking Those Who Know for Anglicare Australia. She has contributed to research on housing and poverty for the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and is a Fellow at the Australian Basic Income Lab.
Thomas Mayo
Thomas Mayo is a leading voice in human rights advocacy and an award-winning author. A Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander, he came to public prominence when he co-led the high-profile campaign for Australia’s Voice referendum, speaking with thousands of Australians about the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Thomas is recognised as one of Australia’s leaders in Indigenous rights and works with schools, community groups, corporates and government to achieve justice, recognition and equity for First Nations peoples. He is on several boards including the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. An accomplished orator and storyteller, Thomas has written seven books including the ‘Voice to Parliament Handbook’ which was voted the 2024 Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) as well as Social Impact Book of the Year and Non-Fiction Book of the Year. His latest book “Always Was, Always Will Be” is a practical guide of hope and inspiration after the referendum. Thomas regularly writes for publications including The Monthly, The Guardian and Koori Mail. A proud father of five children, Thomas’ book “Dear Son: letters and reflections from First Nations fathers and sons” has been adapted into a critically acclaimed play which has shown in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Starting his career as a wharfie, Thomas has held several leadership positions at the Maritime Union of Australia and is currently Assistant National Secretary.
Muriel Cummins
Muriel Cummins is president of the Occupational Therapy Society (OTSi) and a current member of the Every Australian Counts steering committee. Muriel is an occupational therapist, holds a Master of Public Health and is committed to equitable health, mental health and disability support systems that work both for populations and individuals. She is passionate about working in close partnership with those with lived experience, and promoting co-design in policy and service development. Muriel’s previous experiences span clinical, leadership, not-for-profit, policy, and peak body roles.
Sophie Cusworth
Sophie Cusworth is the Chief Executive Officer of Women With Disabilities Australia, the national Disabled People’s Organisation and National Women’s Alliance for women, girls and gender-diverse people with disabilities. A lawyer, policy professional and woman with disability, Sophie has a background in workplace relations, safeguarding and discrimination law, and academic training in Gender Studies. Since her appointment in 2024, she has led WWDA’s national policy and advocacy work across disability rights, gender equality, violence prevention, sexual and reproductive rights, the Disability Royal Commission, NDIS reform and Australia’s international human rights obligations. Sophie has represented WWDA in high-level national and international forums, including the United Nations Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and parliamentary inquiries.
Megan Spindler-Smith
Megan Spindler-Smith is a strategic, innovative and influential Executive Leader with over two decades of driving highly successful inclusion, culture and change initiatives across the not-for-profit, public and private sectors. As a proud Disabled person, they are passionate about developing and implementing profound intersectionally-focused strategic change for people with disability at a national level, to foster widespread accessibility and integrated inclusion. Megan creates cultures of respect, inclusivity and intersectionality. Through their lived experience, clinical and human-centred/organisational development background, they have driven change at the national level for accessible media and inclusion of people with disability networks across multiple sectors. They were named as a finalist and the top 8 Disability Inclusion Changemaker 2024 and a finalist for the DLI Change Maker 2022 and 2023.
Dr Ben Spies-Butcher
Ben Spies-Butcher is a political economist and policy analyst with two decades experience in university and non-government roles. After completing his PhD in Economics at the University of Sydney, he was appointed to teach and research in Economy and Society at Macquarie University, before joining the Centre for Future Work in 2026. He has published 2 books and dozens of articles covering labour relations, macro economics, housing, care, and climate policy, and is an editor of the Economic and Labour Relations Review and Journal of Australian Political Economy.
Dr Alice Grundy
Alice Grundy is Managing Editor of Australia Institute Press and a Research Manager at the Australia Institute. She has been part of the Institute's work on firearms, school funding and the arts to name a few. With a background in book publishing, she has also worked in the public service and taught at several universities.
Matt Grudnoff
Matt Grudnoff is the Senior Economist at The Australia Institute. He has published widely on a diverse range of subjects including taxation & tax concessions, the federal Budget, poverty & inequality, retirement incomes, free trade agreements, housing affordability, energy economics and climate change. Prior to coming to the Australia Institute, he worked at the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Department of Climate Change.
Greg Jericho
Dr Greg Jericho is the Chief Economist at The Australia Institute. He holds an Honours Degree in Economics from Flinders University. Greg also writes a weekly column on economics and politics for Guardian Australia – a position he has held since 2013. In 2016 he won the Walkley Award for Commentary, Analysis, Opinion & Critique, and was a finalist in the category in 2024 and in 2018 he was a Walkley Award finalist with Gareth Hutchens for their report on the crisis of wages in Australia in the Best Industrial Reporting category. He has also written for ABC, SBS and Meanjin with a focus on policy and journalism coverage of Australian politics. Prior to working at the Australia Institute, Greg lectured in journalism and political communication at the University of Canberra and from 2006 to 2011 he worked in the Australian Public Service predominantly in the arts and film portfolios. In 2012 his book The Rise of the Fifth Estate: Social Media and Blogging in Australian Politics was published by Scribe.He is passionate about a range of sports and is well known for his twitter @grogsgamut.
Ebony Bennett
Ebony Bennett is the Deputy Director of The Australia Institute and host of its popular webinar series and Follow the Money podcast. Beginning her career as a journalist in the Canberra press gallery for the Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Financial Review, Ebony has worked in federal politics in a variety of roles for almost 20 years and has published research on climate change and energy, gender and street harassment and contributed a chapter to Morrison’s Miracle: The 2019 Australian Federal Election (ANU Press 2020) and The Nordic Edge: Policy Possibilities for Australia (MUP 2021). Ebony is a regular commentator and contributor across broadcast and print media, she appears regularly as a commentator on ABC and Sky News and has a fortnightly column in The Canberra Times.
Leanne Minshull
Leanne Minshull is the co-Chief Executive Officer of The Australia Institute. Leanne has built an extensive network across political, advocacy, and business communities, working as a senior strategist in social, environmental, not-for-profit, and political sectors. Leanne was admitted to practice as a solicitor in NSW and holds degrees in politics, industrial relations and law.
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.
Highlights from Revenue Summit 2025
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