2024 AI LEADERSHIP SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS

Read more

Government | Regulation

CEDA's Top 10 Speeches Prime Ministers on the CEDA stage

A collection of speeches highlighting CEDA’s engagement with Australia’s Prime Ministers over more than 40 years.


CEDA has produced this special collection of speeches to show the evolution of economic issues of concern to Prime Ministers as well as how those issues have been communicated. The collection starts with William (Billy) McMahon and runs through to Malcolm Turnbull.

The speeches provide an overview of CEDA’s engagement with Australia’s Prime Ministers over more than 40 years. They also provide an historical account of the economic and political issues that have shaped our times.

Addresses provide first-hand accounts of our successive governments’ strategies to tackle the challenges of social reform and rising inflation of the 1970s; reach out to Asia; transform our economy through the microeconomic reforms of the 1980s and 1990s; and, more recently, respond to the Global Financial Crisis.

CEDA Top 10 Speeches Prime Ministers on the CEDA stage

A productive, competitive and innovative Australia 

The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia (2015–2018)

Encouraging more Australians to join or stay in the workforce 

The Hon. Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia (2013–2015)

Gearing up for the second Chinese economic revolution

The Hon. Kevin Rudd, Minister for Foreign Affairs (2010–2013)

Prime Minister of Australia (2007–2010 and June–September 2013)

A strong economy for the future

The Hon. Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia (2010–2013)

Balancing reform and the need to be elected

The Hon. John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia (1998–2007)

The great possibilities for Australia’s future

The Hon. Paul Keating, Prime Minister of Australia (1991–1996)

Australia’s policies for continuing economic growth 

The Hon. Robert (Bob) Hawke, Prime Minister of Australia (1983–1991)

Australia in the world economy

The Rt. Hon. J. Malcolm Fraser PC, Prime Minister of Australia (1975–1983)

A commitment to a healthy mixed economy 

The Hon. E. Gough Whitlam, Prime Minister of Australia (1972–1975)

South-East Asian development assistance 

The Hon. William (Billy) McMahon, Minister for External Affairs (1969–1971)

Prime Minister of Australia (1971–1972)