Mr Evans was seen to help guide Australian governments through a series of crucial economic and financial reforms, including the floating of the dollar in 1983, deregulation and other microeconomic reforms in the 1990s and introduction of the goods and services tax (GST) in 2000.
He worked across the Commonwealth Treasury, at Westpac, and as a board member of the Reserve Bank of Australia for more than three decades.
Across his roles he worked with members of the Executive Committee of Australian Business Economists (ABE), which commented Mr Evans had provided “frank and fearless advice to treasurers and prime ministers from both sides of the political aisle over many decades”.
“He was a humble and considered man, forthright in his views, but open and kind to everyone he came in contact with,” the ABE stated.
“He was a [highly respected] economist and [well liked] by all.”
It added he had established what became a tradition for Treasury secretaries, to address an ABE audience after the release of the annual budget.
“He used these occasions as a way of getting his thoughts on significant policy issues assimilated throughout the financial and business community and then to the community at large,” the ABE said.
The tradition continued under subsequent Treasury secretaries Dr Ken Henry and Dr Martin Parkinson.
Sarah Simpkins
Sarah Simpkins is a journalist at Momentum Media, reporting primarily on banking, financial services and wealth.
Prior to joining the team in 2018, Sarah worked in trade media and produced stories for a current affairs program on community radio.
You can contact her on [email protected].
