Centre for Policy Development

CPD works towards the following vision for Australia:[3]

• a society that expands opportunity and social justice
• 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.

CPD aims to maximise its impact on the policy landscape in Australia with a threefold strategy to create, connect, and convince:[4]

• 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

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.[5]

Effective Government[6]

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[7]

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[8]

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?
• Can intergenerational equity be achieved in the Australian political context?
• What is the relationship between security, trade and migration in fostering wellbeing and regional order?

Recent work has included reports on climate security, sustainable agriculture, measuring public sector efficiency, human services, the marine economy, and the state of Australia’s schools. CPD has also led the establishment of a second track dialogue on forced migration.

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 [its] 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”.

• Official website