Centre for Policy Development is a leading independent public policy think tank. It was established in 2007 as an institute for long-term policy development, in an effort to counteract the focus on short-term fixes and political gains in Australian policy making. Its motto is to embrace ‘the long-term now’. CPD offers rigorous solutions to long-term challenges. In doing so, CPD seeks to change the nature of policy discussion and drive better public policy for Australia’s future. CPD is independent and non-partisan. It is open about its values as well as its funding sources. It is not an academic research unit, a lobby group or a campaign body. It is not affiliated with any political party. Its founders were John Menadue AC and Miriam Lyons, who were the inaugural Chairperson and Executive Director.
Vision
CPD works towards the following vision for Australia:
an economy that is clean, innovative and productive
a government that is active and effective, and
a country respected for its leadership and cooperation.
Across each of these objectives, CPD combines the best domestic and international ideas and insights and helps build the dynamic, progressive policy agenda Australia needs to thrive over the long-term.
Method
CPD aims to maximise its impact on the policy landscape in Australia with a threefold strategy to create, connect, and convince:
Create viable ideas from rigorous, cross-disciplinary research at home and abroad
Connect coalitions of experts and stakeholders to develop these ideas into practical policy proposals
Convince government, business and civil society of the merits of implementing these proposals
Research programs
CPD has three core research programs, detailed below. Across each of these programs CPD develops, publishes, presents and tests papers and policy proposals on topical issues. Effective Government Within this program CPD explores the nature and role of a purposeful and proactive democratic government in the 21st century. Lines of enquiry include:
What are public expectations, and how can these best be met in a fiscally and carbon constrained environment?
How should decision-makers tell the story of long-term reform?
How do we understand these questions across generations, and can we build institutional capacity to respond?
Sustainable economy Within this program CPD identifies options for Australia to make a rapid transition to an environmentally and socially sustainable economy. Lines of enquiry include:
How can we leverage Australia's abundant natural resources and innovative skills to build a fair, sustainable and prosperous economy?
What is the role of the business community in working towards this sustainable and prosperous future?
How can we shift Australia to take a longer-term view of creating value in the economy and society?
Intergenerational Wellbeing This program is dedicated to research into policy challenges central to fostering social mobility and tackling disadvantage over the long term, both in Australia and further abroad across the Asia-Pacific. It explores questions such as:
How should wellbeing be measured?
How do we understand concepts like fairness, growth and justice across generations?
CPD has been commended by eminent Australians for its research and the role it has occupies in public life. Examples include: Professor The Hon. Gareth Evans, AC, QC lauding CPD’s “depth of research analysis… and impressive work on irregular immigration, public sector efficiency, and the marine economy”. The Hon. Fred Chaney, AO commended “CPD’s commitment to fairness, wellbeing and sustainability and its contribution to research in the public rather than sectional interest”. Janet Holmes à Court, AO is quoted as saying that “policy institutes… should have a clear understanding of the challenges ahead, and bring the unusual suspects together to secure outcomes consistent with Australian values. CPD delivers on both counts”.
