The principal objective of Australian Business Economists (ABE) is to encourage greater understanding of economic issues through fostering economic debate in the financial market, business and commercial sector and across the community in general. The ABE was formed in 1980 with three main objectives: 1. To provide a meeting ground for people with an interest in economic affairs 2. To promote a better understanding and use of economic analysis by the business community 3. To improve the flow of communication between academic economists and business people with economic training or interests Since that time, the Australian Business Economists has also developed into the focal point for economic debate for the Australian financial markets and funds management community, providing a forum for participants to meet and share views. The ABE is also a significant vehicle for the leading policy makers in Australia to influence debate. ABE’s members include financial market and fund management economists and participants, business executives, academics and public administrators from a wide variety of industries and occupations. Represented in the membership are professionals working in such fields as: economic forecasting, funds management, corporate treasury functions, strategic business planning, finance and general management. Through its activities, the ABE seeks to encourage greater public awareness and understanding of economic and financial issues and applied economic research, the dissemination of new advances in economics and finance and increased use of economics as a business tool and to support applied economic research.