Professor Ian Harper AO is an Australian economist best known for his work in public policy. He has worked with governments, banks, corporates and leading professional services firms at the highest level. In August 2008, Prof Harper left academic life to become a director of the former Access Economics following a 25-year career, including 16 years in various roles at the Melbourne Business School. In recognition of his service to the University of Melbourne, he was elected Emeritus Professor on his departure. He joined Deloitte Access Economics as a partner when Deloitte acquired Access Economics in March 2011. Prof Harper served as inaugural chair of the Australian Fair Pay Commission, was one of three panelists on the Independent Review of State Finances in Victoria, and chaired the Australian Government's Competition Policy Review (a "root and branch" review of Australia's competition policy, laws and institutions). He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Distinguished Public Policy Fellow of the Economic Society of Australia, and a recipient of the UQ Vice-Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Award. In 2020, Prof Harper was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished services to education in the field of economics, and to public and monetary policy development and reform.
