Australia's premier series of events on the economy and politics for the year ahead.
Download: Economic and Political Overview 2020
Read media release: CEDA EPO 2020 report: 2020 response to short term shocks must be matched policy action on long term problems
In 2020, the Economic and Political Overviews examines Australia's economic and political outlook, domestic and international policy developments in the year ahead and the key issues likely to shape economic and political outcomes including aged care, fiscal policy, data ethics, the UK and Australia after Brexit, Australia's relationship with the US and international climate change policy.
Chapters and authors
The 2020 report features contributions from:
Economic Overview
Michael Blythe, Chief Economist and Managing Director, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Opening the Economic and Political Overview Michael Blythe notes that in Australia, while the downturn in residential construction activity and ongoing consumer restraint has amplified the uncertainties created by trade and geopolitical tensions, growth rates are a long way from recession and inflation is low, meaning that overall there are small gains in real terms.
Political Overview
Peter van Onselen, Political Editor, Network 10 and Professor of Politics, University of Western Australia and Griffith University.
Exploring Australia's political landscape, Peter van Onselen says the fallout from the recent bushfires, both in terms of how they were handled and the management of the recovery, alongside the broader economic challenges the year presents, will keep the government on its political toes in 2020.
Fiscal policy
Grant Wardel Johnson, Lead Tax Partner, KPMG Economics and Tax Centre
Examining the calls for fiscal stimulus against a softening economy and the budget surplus, Grant Wardel Johnson explores the challenges Australia will face in 2020.
Aged care
Peter Harris, Research Advisor, CEDA
Ahead of the findings of the Aged Care Royal Commission, Peter Harris examines policy responses and funding and what is needed to ensure quality affordable aged care on a sustainable basis.
Data ethics
Sarah Kaur, Partner and COO, Portable
Rounding out the domestic policy chapter is a section on the emerging area of data ethics and how it will shape policy in 2020. The chapter examines how new technologies present considerable opportunities to boost innovation and consumer convenience in the Australian economy but are critically dependent on having the right data and trust in the community.
Europe, the UK and Australia after Brexit
Professor Philomena Murray, Professor and Jean Monnet Chair ad personam School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne
From an international policy perspective, Professor Philomena Murray explores how Britain, the European Union, and trading partners like Australia, will adjust after Brexit, as well as examining what other opportunities exist to maintain strong trade and investment links in the future across the European Union.
The US, Australia and the presidential election
Professor Simon Jackman, Chief Executive Officer, United States Studies Centre
Looking across the pond, the US election will dominate 2020 and shape the geopolitical outlook for coming years. This year’s report examines who the Democratic frontrunners are, and how the Presidential race will evolve over 2020 amidst economic uncertainty, trade tensions and the recent impeachment. The report will also look at what this means for the rest of the world.
International climate change policy
Martijn Wilder AM, Founding Partner Pollination
Martijn Wilder international climate change policy asking where we stand on international climate change policy, commitments and action and asking what progress has been made from Kyoto to now, as well as what the implications are of the latest discussions at COP25.
Related content
video:
Watch EPO2020 in Sydney with speakers former Prime Minister the Hon. Kevin Rudd AC and a panel of senior economic and political analysts including NSW-Federal Financial Relations Review, Chair, David Thodey AO; Centre for Policy Development, Chair, Terry Moran AC; Nous Principal, Tanya Smith; The Australian Financial Review National Affairs Columnist, Jennifer Hewett; IMD Business School Professor of Finance, Auturo Bris; Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Chief Economist and Managing Director, Michael Blythe.
Watch EPO2020 in Brisbane with speakers CEDA Chief Economist, Jarrod Ball; Commonwealth Bank Chief Economist and Managing Director, Michael Blythe; Edelman Australia Chief Client and Operations Officer, Kate Ferguson; National Chairman, CEDA and Non-Executive Director, AGL Energy and Wesfarmers Limited, Diane Smith-Gander AO; Griffith Business School, Journalist and Professor of Politics, Dr Peter van Onselen.
Watch EPO2020 in Hobart with speakers Tasmanian Premier, the Hon. Peter Gutwein and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Chief Economist and Managing Director, Michael Blythe.
read:
ACT will be resilient and, in a position, to respond to challenges from Coronavirus and the bushfires | Canberra EPO news summary
Three big-picture themes shaping Australia’s global trade agenda in 2020 | Blog piece by Asialink Business CEO, Mukund Narayanamurti
Communities are key to solving some of Australia's big problems | Blog piece by Centre for Policy Development Chair, Terry Moran AC
Reform for a more effective Federation | NSW Review of Federal Financial Relations Chairman, David Thodey AO
EPO event series
Launched in Sydney, discussions were held across Australia to coincide with the release of the 2020 EPO report.
> Sydney | 12 February 2020 > Brisbane | 13 February 2020
> Canberra | 14 February 2020 > Townsville | 20 February 2020
> Hobart | 24 February 2020 > Perth | 25 February 2020
> Adelaide | 28 February 2020 > Melbourne | 11 March 2020
About the Economic and Political Overview
CEDA's Economic and Political Overview is Australia's premier publication and series of events held in Australia's capital cities and major regional centres, focussing on the Australian economy and politics for the year ahead.
Running for more than 30 years, the EPO brings together political, economic and business leaders and provides CEDA members with business intelligence on the environment they will be operating in over the next 12 months.
Past EPO reports
In 2019, the Economic and Political Overview report focused on its purpose of providing political and economic business intelligence. The report reviewed economics and politics during 2018 as well as looked at the year ahead. A new addition for 2019 was the policy overview and how it relates to both economic and political outcomes. Each section was explored through both a domestic lens such as policy developments and international lens including a China policy overview and the impact of the Trump Presidency.
Download 2019 EPO report
The 2018 EPO overarching theme explored find and access accurate information in the digital age. In addition to the risks brought by digital mediums, the publication looks at how evolving digital mediums are offering new ways for businesses to connect and understand their customers through the use of big data. Continuing the theme of information and campaigning, the report looks at how a four-year political system would change the way parties campaign in Australia, and if this would bring about a shift in the way information is delivered. Read and download and the EPO 2018 report.
The 2017 EPO examined where growth will come from in 2017, ongoing domestic challenges, the prospect of a weakening Australian dollar, and global risks. With the Australian Government in its eighth continuous year of substantial fiscal deficit, and the unlikelihood that promises of a return to surplus will be met, the EPO will provide a follow-up to Deficit to balance: budget repair options and Australia’s economic future: agenda for growth, assessing what action remains to be taken for the Federal Budget to be returned to balance by 2018–19. Download EPO 2017 publication.
CEDA's 2016 Economic and Political Overview (EPO) provides economic and political insights and also examines Australian international competitiveness, challenges and opportunities for Australian businesses and sustainable productivity growth. The publication was launched in Brisbane with a series of events in capital cities across Australia during February and March. Read the EPO 2016 media release or the opinion piece by CEDA Chief Executive, Professor the Hon. Stephen Martin. Click here to download pdf copy of the EPO 2016
CEDA's 2015EPO provides economic and political forecasts and also examines funding options from the finance sector and some proposed market-based reforms and equity issues in Australia.The publication was launched in Sydney with a series of events in capital cities across Australia during February and March. Read the EPO 2015 media release or the opinion piece by CEDA Chief Executive, Professor the Hon. Stephen Martin. Click here to download pdf copy of the EPO 2015
CEDA's EPO 2014 provides economic and political forecasts, and examines government productivity, red tape, and how external factors will shape Australia's economy. The publication was launched with a series of events in capital cities across Australia during February and March. Read the EPO 2014 media release or the opinion piece by CEDA Chief Executive, Professor the Hon. Stephen Martin. Click here to download pdf copy of the EPO 2014
Economic and Political Overview 2013
CEDA's EPO 2013 examines the Australian economy and politics at state and federal levels with insights and information on the operating environment over 2013. The publication was launched with a series of events in capital cities across Australia. These events examined the important issues of electricity prices and the future of work as well as providing economic and political outlooks for 2013. Click here to access summary, articles and videos from the 2013 EPO. Click here to download pdf copy of the 2013 EPO.
Economic and Political Overview 2012
CEDA’s EPO 2012 examines the challenges faced by our multi-speed economy; the likely impact of key policies including the carbon tax, mining tax, poker machine reforms; Australia's productivity performance over the past decade and how to improve productivity. The publication launched with a series of events across Australia. These events examined the important issues of productivity and federal/state financial relations, and provided economic and political outlooks for 2012. Click here to download pdf copy of the 2012 EPO.
See our archive of EPOs from previous years.
About the EPO
CEDA's EPO is Australia's premier publication and series of briefings on the Australian economy and politics for the year ahead. Running for more than 30 years, the EPO brings together political, economic and business leaders and provides CEDA members with business intelligence on the environment they will be operating in over the next 12 months.
Read Professor Ian Marsh's article on the longevity of the EPO.