The Economics of Human Extinction - Hobart and Online
Date
From: Thursday May 21, 2026, 5:30 pm
To: Thursday May 21, 2026, 7:30 pm
The Economics of Human Extinction
Andrew Leigh explores the economics of existential risk and what it will take to respond before it’s too late.
The 2026 Annual 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).
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.
Bookings
To register for the free in person event please go to Humanitix.
Head to the venue early and enjoy complimentary refreshments from 5.30pm.
To attend online, register via Zoom, and we'll email you details.
The Giblin
The Giblin Lecture is a partnership between the University of Tasmania and the Economic Society of Australia – Tasmania Branch. It is named for the eminent Australian economist, Lyndhurst Falkiner Giblin and presented as part of the university's Island of Ideas Public Talk Series.
Refreshments from 5:30pm
Lecture commences 6:00pm
Following the lecture, there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion.
The Honourable Dr Andrew Leigh MP
Andrew Leigh is the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, and Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT. Prior to being elected in 2010, Andrew was a professor of economics at the Australian National University. He holds a PhD in Public Policy from Harvard, having graduated from the University of Sydney with first class honours in Arts and Law. Andrew is a past recipient of the Economic Society of Australia's Young Economist Award and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences.
His books include Disconnected (2010), Battlers and Billionaires: The Story of Inequality in Australia (2013), The Economics of Just About Everything (2014), The Luck of Politics (2015), Choosing Openness: Why Global Engagement is Best for Australia (2017), Randomistas: How Radical Researchers Changed Our World (2018), Innovation + Equality: How to Create a Future That Is More Star Trek Than Terminator (with Joshua Gans) (2019), Reconnected: A Community Builder's Handbook (with Nick Terrell) (2020), What's the Worst That Could Happen? Existential Risk and Extreme Politics (2021), Fair Game: Lessons From Sport for a Fairer Society and a Stronger Economy (2022), The Shortest History of Economics (2024), Battlers and Billionaires: The Updated Story of Inequality in Australia (2024) and The Shortest History of Innovation (2026).
Andrew is a keen Ironman triathlete and marathon runner, and hosts a podcast called The Good Life: Andrew Leigh in Conversation, about living a happier, healthier and more ethical life. Andrew is the father of three sons - Sebastian, Theodore and Zachary, and lives with his wife Gweneth in Canberra. He has been a member of the Australian Labor Party since 1991.
There is free parking, including accessible spaces, available at the venue.
Website
https://events.humanitix.com/2026-economists-networking-dinner-and-giblin-public-lectureVenue
Sir Stanley Burbury Lecture Theatre
Dobson Road, Sandy Bay TAS 7005
