The Australian Economy

The Treasurer of Australia is at the head of the Federal Budget & Treasury portfolio.

Education: He holds a PhD in Political Science and International Relations from the Australian National University (ANU). His doctoral thesis focused on Australian prime ministerial leadership, specifically Paul Keating's time in office.

** It should be noted: Mr Chalmers does not hold a degree, masters or other in any type of qualification in Economics and/or Finance.

Labor-staffer Experience: Chalmers has worked for a number of Labor political figures. working under Queensland or Federal Labor leaders.

Education: He holds degrees in Law & Economics (Monash) and Master’s degrees from Oxford & Harvard.

Real-world Experience: From 2003 to 2005 he was a policy adviser to Prime Minister John Howard, specialising in domestic security issues, border protection, justice and industrial relations. In 2005 he took up a position as a Director of Global Banking with Deutsche Bank in the company's Melbourne office.

Education: He holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Applied Economic Geography (UNSW).

Real-world Experience: After graduating from university, Morrison worked as national policy and research manager for the Property Council of Australia (1989-1995). He then moved into tourism, serving as deputy chief executive of the Australian Tourism Task Force and then general manager of the Tourism Council of Australia. After moving to NZL he became the Director of the New Zealand Office of Tourism and Sport (1998–2000) and Managing Director of Tourism Australia (2004–2006)

Education: He holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Sydney. 

Real-world Experience: Formerly worked as a banking and finance lawyer and as Director of Policy to the Premier of New South Wales.

Education: He studied Public Administration at the University of Queensland & graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. 

Experience: After graduating he worked as a lecturer in the Department of Management at the Queensland Institute of Technology.

From 1978 to 1980, Swan acted as a policy adviser to Labor Leader Bill Hayden, and from 1983 to 1984 was an adviser to Labor government ministers Mick Young and Kim Beazley.

Education: He was educated at Monash University, where he studied Arts and Law, graduating with honours in 1982.

Real-world Experience: During the 1980s, Costello was a solicitor at the law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques, then became a barrister and represented employers in some of Australia's best-known industrial relations disputes.

Education: Willis completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne.

Real-world Experience: He initially intended to work as a teacher but subsequently joined the Commonwealth Public Service as a research assistant in the Department of Labour and National Service. In 1960, Willis resigned from the public service to work as a research assistant for future prime minister Bob Hawke, then working as research officer for a Trade Union.

Education: Kerin completed a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New England, in 1967, and then a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University in 1977.

Real-world Experience: before completing his first degree he worked as a poultry farmer. Then Kerin spent time working at the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) while completing subsequent qualifications.

Education: Keating left high school rather than pursuing higher education, instead working as a pay clerk at the Sydney County Council's electricity distributor. Keating also attended Belmore Technical High School to further his education.

Work Experience: He worked as research assistant for a trade union, having joined the Labor Party as soon as he was eligible. In 1966, he became president of New South Wales Young Labor. During the 1960s, Keating also managed a rock band named The Ramrods.