Winner announced for $5000 CEDA Prize for excellence in economics

University of New South Wales student Adeline Tubb has won the 2011 $5000 Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) prize for excellence in economics or public policy.

CEDA Chief Executive, Professor the Hon Stephen Martin said the annual CEDA Prize aims to recognise and encourage Australia's future economists and is awarded for the best essay on the economic development of Australia.

"Ms Tubb's essay, Does Population Ageing Affect Government Environmental Expenditure?, addresses two timely issues that are not often discussed together, balancing expenditure to address climate change with budgetary pressure from managing an ageing population," Professor Martin said.

Professor Martin said the CEDA prize was established last year during CEDA's 50^th anniversary celebration and the judges had a much tougher decision in the second year.

"The judges were not unanimous in their decision this year, highlighting the quality of the finalists. It is to Ms Tubb's credit that she takes out the award with such strong competition.

"The next generation of economists, such as Ms Tubb, will be vital in ensuring strong economic policy continues in Australia in the future and it great to see the calibre of entries this year."

Judges comments on Ms Tubb's essay included:

"It addresses a policy-relevant issue, and provides a good background to that issue. Uses a sophisticated by stylised theory to show the trade-off between more support for the aged and spending on the environment."

"Nice blending of two great challenges." 

"A robust and internally consistent model, with believable theoretical and empirical outcomes." 

The CEDA Prize is open to economics or public policy postgraduate and honours students. The award is given to the best 6000 to 7500 word essay on the economic development of Australia. 

The award was judged by a distinguished panel that included: 

• Dr Doug McTaggart, Chief Executive, Queensland Investment Corporation
• Dr Glenn Withers AO, CEO, Universities Australia
• Professor Jonathan Pincus, Visiting Professor, University of Adelaide
• Lynn Wood, Chair, Financial Reporting Council and Chairman, Noni B Ltd
• Professor the Hon Stephen Martin, Chief Executive, CEDA

Media contact: 
Roxanne Punton
National Communications Manager
Mobile: 0409 532 287
Email: roxanne.punton@ceda.com.au 

CEDA - the Committee for Economic Development of Australia - is a national, independent, member-based organisation providing thought leadership and policy perspectives on the economic and social issues affecting Australia. 

We achieve this through a rigorous and evidence-based research agenda, and forums and events that deliver lively debate and critical perspectives. 

CEDA's expanding membership includes more than 800 of Australia's leading businesses and organisations, and leaders from a wide cross-section of industries and academia. It allows us to reach major decision makers across the private and public sectors. 

CEDA is an independent not-for-profit organisation, founded in 1960 by leading Australian economist Sir Douglas Copland. Our funding comes from membership fees, events, research grants and sponsorship.