Andrew Leigh MP: Speeches & Conversations

On 5 November 2026, I spoke to the ACE and BETA showcase ‘Evidence in action: lessons from evaluation and behavioural insights’ in Canberra. The long version of the speech is available at https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/ace-and-beta-showcase-evidence-action-lessons-evaluation-and

On 21 October 2026, I delivered the Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration at the State Library Victoria on the topic ‘The Anger Machine: Rebuilding Community in the Age of Outrage’. Full text: https://www.andrewleigh.com/speech_the_anger_machine_rebuilding_community_in_the_age_of_outrage_21_october_2026  

On 7 October 2026, I spoke at an event at the National Press Club alongside Franciscan philosopher Paolo Benanti, on the ethics of artificial intelligence. Speech text: https://www.andrewleigh.com/speech_what_should_ai_love_7_october_2026  

On 22 September 2026, I gave the Economic Society of Australia’s Shann Lecture at the University of Western Australia, on the topic of randomised trials. Full text: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/shann-memorial-lecture-university-western-australia-perth

On 3 September 2026, I joined Joshua Black to discuss his new book, ‘Performance Politics: Australian Politicians and the Stories They Tell’. The event was held live at ANU, as part of the Meet the Author series organised by Colin Steele.

On 10 June 2026, I spoke at the National Press Club in Canberra on charities and a reconnected Australia. Text here: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-national-press-club-canberra

On 16 June 2026, I spoke at an Ashurst competition and consumer law panel. Text here: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-ashurst-competition-and-consumer-law-panel-sydney

On 17 June 2026, I spoke at a conference on ‘The Invisible Mind: The Economics of AI’, organised by David Orsmond and the Economic Society of Australia (NSW Branch). Text here: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-invisible-mind-economics-ai-conference-economic

On 21 May 2026, I delivered the Giblin Lecture, hosted by the University of Tasmania and the Economic Society of Australia Tasmania, on “The Economics of Human Extinction”. An extended version of the talk is available at https://www.andrewleigh.com/speech_the_economics_of_human_extinction_21_may_2026

On 18 May 2026, I gave the opening keynote to the 18th annual Agile Australia conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. You can read it here: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-18th-annual-agile-australia-conference-melbourne

On 15 May 2026, I addressed the Chifley Institute’s Prosperity With Purpose forum on the topic “The Diffusion Dividend”. The text (a slightly longer version) is here: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-chifley-institute-forum-prosperity-purpose-how-labor

On 6 May 2026, I spoke at a Deakin University event on AI for small business. The full speech is available at https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-ai-practice-turning-hype-measurable-sme-impact-panel

On 24 April 2026, I opened the Inequality and Intergenerational Mobility Workshop at the Australian National University.   The full speech is available here: https://www.andrewleigh.com/speech_mobility_is_a_productivity_policy_24_april_2026

On 21 April 2026, I opened the CPA Australia Profit for Purpose Conference with a keynote address "Bequests, belonging and the long future". The full speech is here: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-cpa-australia-profit-purpose-conference-2026-melbourne

On 17 March 2026, I had the honour of delivering the Ted Evans Lecture in Brisbane, on the topic “Rethinking economic foundations in an AI world”. The full speech is available on the Treasury website: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/ted-evans-lecture-brisbane

On 3 March 2026, I discussed my new book "The Shortest History of Innovation" with presenter Philip Clark on the ABC Sydney Radio program, Nightlife. You can find more about Nightlife on their website .

On 26 February 2026, I joined the Chief Executive at the Australian Academy of Science, Anna-Maria Arabia, to discuss ‘The Shortest History of Innovation’ at the Australian National University. The event was part of the ANU’s Meet the Author series, coordinated by Colin Steele. The vote of thanks was given by Professor Tim Senden, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure and Entities).

On 20 February 2026, I discussed my new book "The Shortest History of Innovation" with the wonderfully erudite Richard Fidler on ABC Conversations. You can find more about ABC Conversations on their website .

On 30 October 2025, I spoke to an Committee for Capital Cities event in Parliament House about cities and productivity. Read the speech here: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-committee-capital-cities-event-future-cities-ambition

On 28 October 2025, I spoke to an event in Parliament House about our reforms to non-compete clauses.   You can read the speech here: https://www.andrewleigh.com/speech_opening_doors_how_non_compete_reform_will_unlock_australia_s_talent_28_october_2025

On 17 October 2025, I spoke at the Australian Repair Summit in Canberra on the right to repair. Transcript: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-australian-repair-summit-canberra  

On 15 October 2025, I spoke about Mahatma Gandhi’s influence on Australia. Transcript here: https://www.andrewleigh.com/speech_the_force_of_truth_gandhi_s_impact_on_australia_15_october_2025

On 8 October 2025, I spoke to the Regional Australia Institute National Summit at Parliament House. Text here: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-regional-australia-institute-national-summit

On 8 October 2025, I spoke at a Group of Eight dialogue on “Leveraging Research and Innovation to Turbocharge Productivity”. The text is available here: https://www.andrewleigh.com/speech_degrees_of_growth_how_universities_help_drive_productivity_8_october_2025

On 24 September 2025, I spoke at the Australian National University on new research about the dangers of zero-sum thinking. The speech transcript is here: https://www.andrewleigh.com/speech_the_politics_of_abundance_and_the_perils_of_zero_sum_thinking_24_september_2025