Ian Harper

Ian Harper has been described as "one of Australia's most distinguished economists". He has worked closely with governments, banks, corporates and leading professional 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 holds the position of Assistant Director and Dean of Faculty at Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne where he teaches economics, banking and international finance on the various programs offered by the School.

In October 2005, the Prime Minister, John Howard, announced Ian's appointment as inaugural Chairman of the Australian Fair Pay Commission. The role of the Commission is to set and adjust minimum wages.

Ian is also the principal of his own consulting company, and, a financial services consultant to KPMG and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

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".

Prior to joining Melbourne Business School, Ian was Professor of Monetary and Financial Economics in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce at the University of Melbourne. He has also held positions at the Australian National University in Canberra, Princeton University in the United States and the Reserve Bank of Australia in Sydney.

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