The 2026 Giblin Lecture
Andrew Leigh explores the economics of existential risk and what it will take to respond before it’s too late.
The 2026 Giblin Lecture will be delivered by The Honourable Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, and Federal Member for Fenner (ACT).
One of Tasmania’s flagship public‑economics events and a cornerstone of the Island of Ideas program, the Giblin Lecture brings leading thinkers, economists, researchers and the wider community together to deepen public understanding of economic issues of public importance.
In this year’s lecture, Dr Leigh explores the economics of existential risk, asking why societies are often slow to respond to catastrophic threats and what economic thinking can contribute to better prevention and preparedness.
Presenter(s):
- The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury
- Hosted by Mark Bowles, Dean and Head of the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, University of Tasmania
Pre-event refreshments:
Head to the venue early and enjoy complimentary refreshments from 5.30pm.
The Giblin Lecture:
The Giblin Lecture, established in 1996 and presented annually in June/July in association with The Economic Society of Australia, aims to stimulate economic debate on the topics of the day. The lecture is held in honour of Lyndhurst Falkiner Giblin, a Tasmanian born economist (1872-1951), who played an important role in the evolution of economic policy making in Australia. He served as the Tasmanian government statistician and acting Commonwealth statistician, and advised on tariff and depression policies, as well as seeing active duty in the First World War.
Parking:
Free parking, including accessible spaces, is available at the venue.
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Find out more:
Want to learn more about the University of Tasmania’s Island of Ideas public talks series? Catch-up on past events, register for upcoming talks or get in touch with us via our Island of Ideas webpage.