Northern Rivers Events | Business NSW

Northern Rivers Economic Breakfast 2026

19th March 2026

6:45am - 9:30am

Ballina RSL Club

Book Your Tickets Now

About the Event

The Northern Rivers Economic Breakfast brings together local leaders, business owners, students and changemakers for a morning of insights, ideas and conversation. Now a flagship event on the regional calendar, it offers a unique opportunity to hear from top economic voices and explore what’s ahead for our local economy. Whether you’re here to connect, learn or spark new collaborations, we’re glad to have you with us.

program

Aknowledgment of Country
Oliver Costello

Welcome
Jane Laverty, Regional Director
Business NSW Northern Rivers

Presenting Partner Address
Clarence Property

Keynote

Sally Auld, Chief Economist
NAB

Keynote
Luke Elias, Director, Operations & Engagement NNSW
Healthy North Coast

Keynote
Alan Kohler AM

Nathan Wallwork
Head of Economics & Policy
Business NSW

ProspER Northern Rivers Update
Jane Laverty, Regional Director
Business NSW Northern Rivers

Close

VIP Roundtable with Alan Kohler

Speakers

Alan Kohler AM

Alan Kohler AM is one of Australia’s most respected financial journalists and business commentators, with over five decades covering markets, the economy and business. A former editor of the Australian Financial Review and The Age, and columnist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, he has spent nearly 30 years with the ABC as business editor of 7.30, host of Inside Business, and now finance presenter on ABC News. Founder of Eureka Report and Business Spectator, Alan speaks on finance, the economy and stockmarkets, giving audiences clarity, context and insight to navigate uncertainty and make informed business decisions.

Sally Auld, Chief Economist, NAB

Sally is the Chief Economist at NAB. Previously, she was JBWere’s Chief Investment Officer. Prior to this, Sally worked at JP Morgan where she was Managing Director, Chief Economist and Head of Economic and Markets Research, Australia and New Zealand.

Sally has a Bachelor of Economics with First Class Honours and the University of Sydney. She holds a Master of Economics degree and has completed a Doctorate of Philosophy in Economics at Oxford University.

She is currently Chair of the SCEGGS Darlinghurst Ltd. Board and a member of the Finance and Investments Committee for the Children’s Medical Research Institute. She is also a member of the the Grattan Institute’s Public Policy Committee and the AJBCC Board.

Luke Elias, Director, Primary Health Programs & Partnerships, Healthy North Coast

Luke Elias commenced his health career as a physiotherapist and has worked extensively in clinical capacity, health management and administration roles in both the public and private sector over the past 25 years. He has held senior management and executive operational positions in metropolitan and regional acute and primary health care services across NSW. He holds consumer advocate and patient representative roles with national and international organizations with a focus on management of cardiovascular health and rare diseases. Luke works as Director, Primary Health Programs & Partnerships with Healthy North Coast, delivering the Primary Health Network program to the 540,000 residents of the NSW North Coast. He is passionate about supporting highest quality care to meet the needs of vulnerable and priority populations.

Nathan Wallwork, Head of Economics and Policy, Business NSW

Nathan Wallwork is an economist and public policy specialist with substantial experience working alongside businesses, government and community organisations to solve the most difficult problems we face today.

Nathan is the Head of Economics and Policy at Business NSW. He leads the economics and policy team to drive strategic research, generate insights and develop policy for real-world impact. This includes managing the quarterly Business Conditions Survey - Business NSW's flagship research product. Before joining Business NSW in 2025, Nathan was a strategy consultant focused on public policy, with a career spanning Australia and the UK. Nathan grew up in regional South East Queensland and has a special love for the Northern Rivers region.

Thank you to our partners and speakers

Business NSW deeply values the partnerships that make events like this possible.

We extend our sincere thanks to our Presenting Partner, Clarence Property, and to our Event Partners, Northern Rivers Housing, Southern Cross University, TURSA, NAB, Healthy North Coast, Macro Group, HLB Mann Judd and TNR, along with all of our Regional Leaders. Your support, insight and commitment to this region are what bring these conversations to life.

A heartfelt thank you to our speakers for sharing your time, expertise and candour. You continue to challenge, inspire and elevate the dialogue across the Northern Rivers.