For the past 14 years, Professor Ann Harding has spearheaded the devel- opment of highly sophisticated microsimulation models and databases within Australia, so that policy makers can gain much better information about the likely distributional impact of current and proposed policies. She leads the University of Canberra’s National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling, established in January 1993, and is a professor of Applied Eco- nomics and Social Policy at the University. In recent years, with substantial grant funding, Professor Harding has steered microsimulation modelling in Australia beyond its traditional ‘tax and social security’ focus to such new areas as health, aged care, housing and regional issues, with the.