Stephen Walters is a senior research fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS). He also is chief economist of Optimal Economics, associate director of the Australian Centre for International Trade and Investment (ACITI) and consultant chief economist for Keys Thomas and Associates.

Stephen previously was chief economist for the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and chief economist for NSW in Treasury. Before joining NSW Treasury, Stephen was chief economist with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and, for 14 years, was chief economist Australia and New Zealand for investment bank J.P.Morgan.

Stephen previously was senior economist with Access Economics in Melbourne and International economist with Norwich Union and Alliance Capital in the United Kingdom. He also spent seven years as an economist with the WA Treasury in Perth.

Stephen holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Western Australia and a Master’s degree in applied finance from the University of Melbourne. He also has qualifications in journalism and graduated from the AICD’s Company Directors Course in 2017.

Stephen’s main areas of expertise include macroeconomic analysis, modelling and forecasting, project evaluation, cost benefit analysis, report writing and public speaking. Stephen is a seasoned media performer and has published three books, with a fourth to be published soon.