A man smiling wearing a blue shirt in front of foliage - Toby Philips

Toby Phillips

  • Economic Director
Expertise: Just transition, technology policy, climate change, economics, public policy
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Toby Phillips leads the Centre for Policy Development’s Just Transition Australia focus area, working on policy ideas and partnerships to build a more environmentally and socially sustainable economy. This work encompasses climate policy, wellbeing governance, and structural challenges to Australia’s economy.

Since 2017, Toby has been a researcher and manager at Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government, where he continues to direct a project on government responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Toby previously led the research and policy team for the Pathways for Prosperity Commission on Technology and Inclusive Development, chaired by Melinda Gates, Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Strive Masiyiwa. Prior to that, Toby was a researcher at the Resolution Foundation, a UK think tank. Toby started his career in Canberra, holding roles across several government departments (Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Attorney-General’s Department, and the then-Department of Human Services).

Toby holds a Master of Public Policy from Oxford University and a BSc(hons) in chemistry from Flinders University. He has previously served on the board of the Australian Republic Movement, and currently chairs the board of Scouts Australia.

Publications

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Sharing the Benefits: Ensuring new industries strengthen communities

Sharing the Benefits is a report from the Centre for Policy Development that outlines how

Submission to the proposed design of the Net Zero Fund

CPD’s submission to the Net Zero Fund makes four key recommendations with a focus on

Submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry into Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation

The Centre for Policy Development’s submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry on Investing in cheaper,

The Climate Solutions Advantage: A playbook for communicating the economic benefits of climate solutions to Australian mid-tier businesses

The Climate Solutions Advantage is a practical guide designed to help large organisations and industry

Budgeting for Natural Disasters: Transparency and accuracy in the fiscal treatment of disaster recovery

Budgeting for Natural Disasters is a briefing paper from the Centre for Policy Development that

In the media

Sharing the benefits of the net zero transition with communities

CPD Economic Director Toby Phillips speaks with ABC's Sam Bradbrook about the Sharing the Benefits report and the case for tying public funding to real community outcomes.
  • ABC South East SA
  • 5 December 2025
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Fuelling rural ambition may ease renewables resistance

The Sharing the Benefits report by the Centre for Policy Development argues any renewables project backed by the federal government should have to clearly demonstrate community benefits.
  • AAP
  • 4 December 2025

Principles for public funding of green projects

Billions of public dollars for projects and new industries could flow through a more principled matrix for greater community benefits and less resistance, policy experts say.
  • The Energy
  • 4 December 2025

Put it in the budget: Federal government underestimates disaster recovery costs by $6 billion

The federal budget doesn't account for the real cost of natural disasters — and it’s costing Australians in more ways than one.

As CEFC billions roll in, the green bank faces a political test

The $2 billion recapitalisation of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation has revived debate about the future of Australia’s government-owned green bank, with renewable advocates calling for lower investment return hurdles while the Coalition has attacked taxpayer financing of green energy
  • The Australian Financial Review
  • 28 January 2025

WA minister splits with Canberra on offshore wind

Centre for Policy Development economic director Toby Phillips said the early stage of offshore wind in Australia meant that chopping and changing of plans by investors was to be expected.
  • The Australian Financial Review
  • 27 January 2025
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