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President-elect Donald Trump’s U.S election victory has generated plenty of discussion around the world. Many politicians, journalists and everyday Australians are wondering if the economic and social conditions that led to Trump’s rise could happen here as well.

Low-income and middle-income earners in the U.S. have seen little real income growth over the last few decades as the upper class continue to gain greater profits of the increasingly globalised market economy. Are similar patterns evident in our own economy? Is there a growing segment of society that is getting left behind by economic growth over the last decade?

To find out, join Economist Amy Auster and the ESA Young Professionals for a presentation and discussion on the patterns of income and wealth distribution in Victoria over waffles and bagels. Amy has a vast wealth of economic knowledge and experience from which to share on this topic, not to mention her American roots and background in journalism!

Full Bio - Amy Auster

Amy is a respected economist and strategic advisor to business executives and policy makers, with deep expertise in the Asia Pacific region and the financial services industry.

She is currently the Deputy Secretary of the Economic division at the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance and has previously led the Australian Centre for Financial Studies as Executive Director. She was also the Principal Consultant at the Foundation for Development Cooperation and worked as an economist, strategist and senior executive for ANZ Banking Group during the bank's expansion into Asia. She is also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University in the Monash Business School.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and arts from Northwestern University in Chicago and a master’s degree in economics and finance from Columbia University in New York. Amy was also a journalist early in her career, including as correspondent for the Economist.

She has also worked for JPMorgan Chase and Merrill Lynch as well as consultancy assignments to the World Bank and Asia Development Bank.

Major areas of published research and speaking engagements have focused on:
- The rise of China and growth of Asia, and the impact on Australia;
- Pension fund management and portfolio allocation, including the superannuation industry in Australia;
- Evolution of the banking and financial services, including Basel III regulation;
- Economic regulation of infrastructure; and
- Sovereign debt, fiscal and tax policies and frameworks.

Menu Options

Waffle w/ peach, salted caramel, vanilla ice cream & pecan crumble

Poached Eggs and bacon w/ sourdough toast

Bagel w/ smoked turkey, cream cheese, chives, red onion, tomato and spinach.