CoreNet’s upcoming Economic State of the Nation forum couldn't be timelier for our industry. As we begin 2015, the enormous economic forces that shape our business and personal lives are clearly on the front pages and its important now more than ever to understand the trends, implications and end game to assist our plans moving forward. What are the implications and predictions around:
- European debt concerns
- The Australian currency
- The US economic position
- Outlook for interest rates
- Globalisation forces
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Speaker: Craig James, Chief Economist at CommSec (Sydney)
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 Craig James is the Chief Economist at CommSec and regular media personally who features in 2-3 regular TV crosses a day, ad hoc radio and newspaper interviews and writes regular commentaries as well as presenting to staff, clients and external organisations.
Holding a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) and Masters of Commerce (Economics) from the University of NSW, Craig became chief economist of Colonial Group in September 1997, before becoming chief economist at CommSec in August 2000 with the Commonwealth takeover of Colonial.
In 2002 Craig had a sea-change, joining the Australian Financial Review. He had always wanted to pursue a role in journalism and enjoyed the role as an economic commentator and analysts, finding that he could pursue a journalistic-type role as well as doing more electronic media work at CommSec and rejoined the group in 2003.
Outside work, Craig's main interests are athletics (cross country in winter), weight training, reading widely across a range of newspapers, magazines and electronic media, and trying to keep up with the children.
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Speaker: Steven Shepherd, Senior Economic Advisor (Brisbane)
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 Steven has extensive international experience, including a role as Chairman of the World Employers’ Group on privatisation issues at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva in April 1999. He has also attended the OECD in Paris as a business representative on the environment. In 1990 Steven attended a short public policy course at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. in the United States. He has also been involved in providing high-level briefings to foreign diplomats, ranging from Ambassadors, Consuls General and foreign politicians. As a result of these activities, he was once nominated for a US Government scholarship.
Steven has been author of a number of economics books and publications focusing on government policy and its impact on small businesses. The foremost of these activities, was his contribution on the Australian manufacturing sector to the high profile book titled, “A Defence of Economic Rationalism”. As part of his activities he has been involved in numerous and influential policy committees involving the Australian Taxation Office, the Small Business Coalition and the Australian Chamber of Commerce Industry.
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