Vale Bill Evans (1950 - 2026)
Over the decades of his involvement with the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Bill, as chief Economist of Westpac, was a valuable and respected collaborator. He was a terrific member of the Melbourne Institute Advisory Board and was responsible for a wonderful and enduring partnership with Westpac.
Bill Evans, image credit: The Australian
Bill played a critical role in establishing CASiE, the Consumer Attitudes, Sentiments and Expectations in Australia Survey. He had the foresight to see how households’ opinions had real effects on spending and how they could also influence the direction of policy. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute survey is now five decades old, and its enduring appeal owes much to Bill’s communication skills in imparting economic information.
He was also a frequent and very compelling speaker at Melbourne Institute forums and conferences. He made sense of economic data and was able to communicate to the public in a compelling and insightful way. Such was his esteem that he became known as the ‘man who moved markets’ and for his willingness to make bold forecasting calls.
Our condolences go to the family for the loss of an impressive man.