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Ian Harper

Ian Harper is one of Australia's best known academic economists. He has worked closely with governments, banks, corporates and leading professional services firms at the highest level. As a member of the celebrated Wallis Inquiry, he was at the forefront of financial market reform in Australia.

Ian is currently Executive Director, Centre for Business and Public Policy at the Melbourne Business School, where he holds the Sidney Myer Chair of Commerce & Business Administration. From March to November 2004, Ian served as Acting Dean and Director of the School.

In October 2005 Ian was appointed inaugural Chairman of the Australian Fair Pay Commission. The Commission is an independent statutory body whose role is to set and adjust minimum wages in Australia.

Ian is Principal of his own consulting company, Harper Associates Australia; a Senior Consultant with Access Economics and a Senior Adviser to Aon Australia.

Ian Harper is sought after as a commentator and public speaker on economic and financial issues. He has been described as "one of those relatively rare academics who can communicate extremely well with both the business community and the academic community".

In 2000 Ian was elected to a Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia in recognition of his standing as an academic economist. More recently, he was elected to the ANU Faculty of Economics and Commerce Alumni Hall of Fame.