Across three days in Canberra, State of the Nation will examine how we achieve sustainable, long-term prosperity for all Australians. Join us on 24-26 June 2026 and be part of the conversation shaping Australia’s future.
The 2026 State of the Nation conference is guided by the theme “Towards a prosperous future” — a bold call to action aligned with CEDA’s Progress 2050 vision. This year’s program will ignite the vital conversations needed to steer Australia toward sustainable, long-term prosperity for all.State of the Nation at a glance:
Conference dinner: Wednesday 24 June | 6.00pm to 9.00pm | National Museum of Australia
Conference: Thursday 25 June | 7.30am to 6.00pm | Parliament House (including keynote breakfast, plenary and breakout sessions)
Lead and Elevate Trustee program: Friday 26 June | 9.00am to 3.30pm | Various locations (including networking breakfast and department roundtables)
Profile your thought leaders and elevate your brand through sponsorship of Australia's leading public policy forum. Contact Sharon Braun to discuss.
This event aligns with: Goal 1 - Productivity, investment + innovation
LEARN MORE ABOUT PROGRESS 2050
Speakers include:
Prime Minister of Australia
Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation
Premier of South Australia
CEO and Managing Director
Woodside Energy
Former Ambassador to the US and Chair, United States Studies Centre
The University of Sydney
Chief Officer, Business and Markets APAC
Arup
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Council of Social Service
Cheek Media Co
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Federal Leader of the Opposition
Tech Council of Australia
Stone & Chalk
Chief Strategy Officer
CDC Data Centres
Non Executive Director
Income Asset Management Group
Chair
IFM Investors
Commissioner, Essential Services Commission of SA and Deputy Chair of AU Ventures Group
Adelaide University
Actuaries Institute
Chairman
Future Skills Organisation
Deputy Chair
Productivity Commission
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer
AGL
Commissioner
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
Australian Energy Market Commission
Federal Independent Member for Wentworth
TAFE Directors Australia
Chief of Policy
Australian Banking Association
CPA Australia
BuildSkills Australia
Infoxchange
Independent Senator for the ACT
Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy
Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia
National Director
UnitingCare Australia
Vice-Chancellor and President
UNSW Sydney
Chief Political Editor
Nine Network
Co-Founder and Managing Director
Foundations for Tomorrow
Vice Chancellor and President
RMIT University
Deputy Commissioner
Jobs and Skills Australia
Councillor, ACT
Australian Institute of International Affairs
Chief Executive
CEDA
Deputy Secretary, Science and Technology
Federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Deputy Secretary, Immigration Programs
Federal Department of Home Affairs
Partner, Deloitte Access Economics
Acting Head, Climate Change Policy, Adaptation and Risk Division
Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Acting Head, Climate Change Policy Branch
Registration has now closed. Please call CEDA on 1800 161 236 if you wish to enquire about this event.
