Vale Emeritus Professor John Nevile,
John Nevile died on Monday morning 29th June 2026 at the age of 93, quickly, peacefully and without pain.
The funeral/memorial service will be in Canberra, in the 'Blue Gum Chapel' at William Cole Funerals, 60 Nettlefold Street, Belconnen on Saturday 18 July commencing at 2pm.
John was one of Australia’s most distinguished economists, with an international reputation. He made outstanding contributions and pioneering work across numerous fields, including developing the first econometric model of the Australian economy, making significant contributions to our understanding of fiscal policy and of growth theory, as well as his fundamental insights into labour markets and into the causes of and cures for unemployment. His achievements have been recognised by the profession as he has been made a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in 1972 and was President of the Economics Society of Australia from 1980 to 1984, and in 2000 he was awarded the Distinguished Fellow Medal of the Economic Society of Australia. John was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2016.The award was presented in recognition of his significant service to tertiary education, particularly in the field of economics, as well as his roles as an academic, author, and contributor to professional organizations. Several important fellowships and awards have been established in his honour.
John was the Foundation Chair of economics at UNSW as well as serving as Dean. He was one of the founders of the Economic and Labour Relations Review, and was a member of the editorial board until recently.
John worked ceaselessly for social justice and human rights, with particular concerns for alleviating inequality, poverty and unemployment. He has served the community in many capacities including Chairman of the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee's Panel to review honours teaching in Australian universities (1989-92); Associate Commissioner in the Industry Commission for the Enquiry into Public Housing (1992-93); Chairman, Commission for the Future of Work (an initiative of ACOSS) (1995-96); and an advisor on economics and taxation policy, ACOSS (1999-2007). He has also been a consultant for major Australian Government enquiries.
Underlying most of his work is John’s major concern with helping the most vulnerable members of society. This is apparent in both his published contributions, many of which consider the role of human rights and of inequality in contemporary society – both analysing the causes and suggesting policy remedies. He has been a tireless advocate of the need for reform, particularly with respect to the lot of the unemployed.
Despite his significant contributions and towering intellect, John was a modest and unassuming person, who preferred reasoning through scholarship as his method of persuading people.
On a personal note, John was his mentor and collaborator as well as being a very close friend and colleague, with a penetrating mind, a warm heart and a delightful sense of humour. I will miss him tremendously.
Please feel free to share this information with anyone who knew John.
Peter Kriesler
From Alex Millmow
ESA Victoria Branch
