Previously described as a “renegade economist”, Williamstown’s Adrian Pagan has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.
Professor Pagan was recognised for distinguished service to tertiary education, development of public policy research, contributions to professional and financial organisations, and as an author of more 140 papers, articles and books.
When appointed to the Reserve Bank board in 1995 he was described as a “knock-about character”.
Mr Pagan said what he really liked about his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia was that it was an Australian award.
“I guess if I go back to my renegade past I can construct an argument for why I shouldn’t get it, as there are a lot of people out there who do amazing things,” he said.
“I’m very much a product of the Australian education system, even to doing my doctorate here – and that was a bit unusual in the 1960s.
“So I like to think of this as a tribute to all those people who inspired and directed me in thinking about econometrics and its uses.”
He said the federal budget was probably the worst selling job he had ever seen on a set of policies.
“Some policies I completely reject, such as the repeal of the carbon tax. Pricing of carbon is something we will end up having to do.
“Equity and efficiency were two of the principles that I learned about when I was a student, but somehow the framers of this budget have forgotten the first.”
