Venue: UWA Business School, Meeting Room G90 (Near the Foyer)

Date Tuesday, 12 September 2017

Time: 5:15pm to 6:30pm

Venue: UWA Business School, meeting room G90 (near the Foyer)

Phone: 0415 396 994 (Peter Kolf)

1) Welcome.

2) Minutes of the Previous Meeting (Attachment 1).

3) Matters arising from the Minutes not dealt with in other Agenda Items.

4) Treasurer’s Report (Chris).

5) Teleconference facility (Chris).

6) Membership.

7) Women in Economics Network Report (Analena).

8) The ESA WA Website & Young Economists Network Report (Anusha).

9) Future Events (Peter):

· Young Economists Quiz Night October/November (Anusha);

· Annual Shann Memorial Lecture by Professor Tim Besley of the LSE;

· Christmas Sundowner November/December;

· Other.

10) Other Business.

11) Next Meeting.

Minutes of Economic Society of Australia: WA Branch Council Meeting

Date Wednesday 3 May 2017

Time: 5:15pm to 6:30pm

Venue: UWA Business School, meeting room G90

The meeting opened at 5.20 pm.

Attendees: Michael McLure, Peter Kolf, Chris Shulha, Harry Bloch, Anusha Mahendran, Abu Siddique, David Butler, Maria Mangano, Maria Mangano, John Roberts Malcolm Tull, Erin Stone, Mike Dockery, and Margaret Nowak.

Apologies: Margaret Giles, Ruhul Salim, Philip Brown, Analena Gilhome, Jasmine Kaur,

1) Minutes of the Previous Meeting (Attachment 1).

Minutes moved by Abu Siddique and seconded by David Butler.

2) Matters arising from the Minutes not dealt with in other Agenda Items.

3) Treasurer’s Report (Chris)

Chris provided us with an update on the society’s funds. The Society’s membership increased by 6 after the launch of the "Women in Economics Network" (WEN) in late March. He also reported that AGM was the most expensive item. It was resolved that an alternative and less expensive venue should be considered. Erin Stone and Chris Shulha undertook to search for a cheaper alternative venue. Malcom Tull noted that the Fremantle Sailor’s Club had been used for AGMs.

4) Updating and Improving the ESA WA Website (Anusha and Michael)

Anusha and Michael reported an update on the progress of the construction of the ESA WA Website. Jill has been assisting them in this regard and the website is still in developmental stage. Profiles and photos of some members have already been updated. Photos and profiles of some other members have been collected and will be uploaded shortly. Michael has been requested to send an e-mail to the members reminding them to act on this matter. ESA WA website has now been activated and members can view and update their profiles by visiting: the following website

esawa.org.au.

5) The Women in Economics Network (Analena)

WEN WA group will meet on 9 May to discuss the possibility of organising an inaugural seminar to be followed by BYO drinks.

6) Young Economists (Anusha)

The Central Council will support for Two Young Economists from WA to attend the 2017 Australian Conference of Economists. Possibility of presenting papers relating to infrastructure in WA was discussed in the meeting. However, the selection committee has not yet selected anyone.

7) Economics Workshop (Michael)

Michael McLure reported that the Economics Workshop will be held on 26 July in the Function Room of Curtin Graduate School of Business. The Hon Rita Saffioti, Minister for Transport and Lands has accepted the invitation to attend this event. The registration fee will cover the costs associated with the morning and afternoon teas and the lunch. It was resolved to encourage tertiary economics students to attend this event. The first 10 or 12 student members will not be charged for attending this workshop i.e. they will be provided with a scholarship to attend the event. Each scholarship will amount to $50 to $60.00 (total cost of around $600.00).

8) Future Events (Michael)

(a) 2017 Annual General Meeting of ESA-WA

It was decided that the 2017 AGM will be held in mid-August. Anusha suggested Dr John Hewson, who is currently associated with the Bankwest Curtin Economic Research Centre, as a possible after dinner speaker.

(b) Judge for the honours thesis `prize;

It was resolved to ask Professor Siobhan Austen if she could be judge the honours thesis prize. Failing that, one of EC members from the Eastern States will be approached to act as the judge.

Michael McLure (current President) will circulate an e-mail amongst the ESA WA members inviting nominations for various office bearers of the ESA WA 2017-18 Council prior to the AGM. Michael advised the meeting that he would not be nominating for the position of President at the forthcoming AGM. The possibility of Peter Kolf and Erin Stone being nominated for President and Vice President respectively was raised in subsequent discussion.

(d) Joint WA Treasury – ESA seminar in September

Michael informed that he had a lunch with David Christmas from WA Treasury. Apparently, he showed interest in organising a joint event with ESA WA. The Committee wholeheartedly endorsed this initiative and recognised the importance of frequent interactions between ESA WA and WA Treasury in expectation that it will attract more members from the Town. David Butler raised the issue of finding a co-sponsor for this event.

9) Other Business

Anusha asked about the Shann Memorial Lecture for this year. It was resolved that it will be held during the 2nd half of this year. Michael mentioned that Professor Tim Besley (from the LSE) had been invited, but his availability has not been confirmed. If he is unavailable, other potential speakers – such as Kerry Sanderson (the WA Governor) or Michael Stuchbury (economic and financial journalist /editor) – could be approached.

Meeting closed at 6.10 pm with a vote of thanks from the chair.