Andrew Leigh Mp: Speeches & Conversations

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

Description: On 17 September 2025, I spoke to the Ecosystem Startup leaders lunch at UTS Startups, Sydney on the topic of “Startups for Growth”. A transcript is available here:https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-ecosystem-startup-leaders-lunch-uts-startups-sydney

On 16 September 2025, I spoke at the Sydney Institute, discussing how scrapping non-compete clauses for most workers is good for freedom and fairness. Read the full speech: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-sydney-institute

On 3 September 2025, I spoke on “Fair Work in the Age of AI” at the ACTU’s Seizing the Opportunities of AI While Protecting the Fair Go Symposium in Canberra. The transcript is available here:https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-seizing-opportunities-ai-while-protecting-fair-go

On 8 August 2025, I spoke at the Asialink Leaders Summit in Canberra on the value of free trade to Australia, and the case against tariffs. Transcript: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-asialink-leaders-summit-canberra

On 6 August 2025, I launched Granville Allen Mawer’s delightful book “Heads and Tales” at the Royal Australian Mint. The text of the speech is available at: https://www.andrewleigh.com/speech_the_heads_we_know_the_tales_we_didnt

On 29 July 2025, I spoke at the AFR Government Services Summit on the topic “Government as a Learning Machine: Using Randomised Trials to Improve Productivity”. The speech transcript is available at: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-afr-government-services-summit-canberra

Recorded live at the Sydney Writers’ Festival on 23 May 2025, I sat down with composer and writer Andrew Ford to discuss our latest books — The Shortest History of Music (Ford) and The Shortest History of Economics (Leigh). We explored how to distil complex subjects without losing their essence and why brevity can still hold truth.

On 23 May 2025, I spoke with Economics Professor at UNSW Sydney, Richard Holden at the Sydney Writers' Festival where we unpack the causes and consequences of economic inequality.    

On 27 June 2025, I gave a keynote address at the National Consumer Congress in Melbourne, titled ‘Fair Go, Fair Markets: Consumer Trust in a Fast-Changing Australia’. The transcript is available here: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/speeches/address-2025-national-consumer-congress-melbourne