Launch of the CPD

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On Wednesday May 23, 2007 a crowd of supporters gathered in Sydney to celebrate the launch of the Centre for Policy Development.

CPD founding Chair John Menadue AO, Board member Julian Burnside QC, and Executive Director Miriam Lyons spelt out the scope of our work and the urgent need for us to make our voice heard. As MC and chief traffic controller, Charles Firth kept the audience on their toes.

More photos

More photos of the night are available here.

Thank yous

CPD’s launch was kindly hosted by Gilbert and Tobin. Many thanks to our speakers, staff, and volunteers for their contribution to an excellent evening.

CPD launch speech – John Menadue

“Australia has too much politics and not enough policy”, said John Menadue. “We need to know what political parties and governments stand for – their values and principles. That is so whoever wins the next election. It will even be more important if there is a change of government.”

CPD launch speech – Julian Burnside

“Ideas which stand unchallenged are likely to be flawed”, said Julian Burnside. As the Liberal party loses its liberalism and the dominant conversation shifts ever further to the right, the CPD is needed to create a real contest of ideas.

CPD launch speech – Miriam Lyons

“Many of today’s policy failures are based on an unbalanced view of human nature and a blinkered view of the economy”, said Miriam Lyons. “We’ll be basing our policy development on the search for a better balance between markets, governments, society and the environment.”