Latest policy papers

The CPD publishes research papers and proposals on a diverse range of policy challenges. Our work focuses on reimagining the public sphere and rebalancing the relationship between markets, government, society and the environment. As well as occasional papers, we publish the series ReThink, ImagiNation and CommonSense.

Australia's Fiscal Straightjacket

In his new discussion paper for the Centre for Policy Development, Fred Argy demolishes eight myths underpinning what currently passes for "fiscal conservatism" in Australia. The view that neither taxes nor public debt levels should ever increase is lazy and timid policy, not good governance, writes Argy.

Deeper in Debt

Australians are addicted to debt but we can't afford to keep borrowing at current levels forever. 'Deeper in Debt' is CPD fellow Steve Keen's analysis of Australia's looming crisis in housing affordability and private debt.


The risk society

CPD fellow John Quiggin examines the role of government as the ultimate risk manager. He argues that risk will be the defining concept of the 21st century, the way that globalisation was for the 1990s.

A New Approach to Primary Care for Australia

The best way to take the pressure off hospitals is to ensure that most people don't need to go there in the first place. In this new paper Jennifer Doggett explains how we can reorient Australia's health system towards primary and preventative care.

Reclaiming Our Common Wealth

Calling on all Australian politicians to re-think the way they develop public policy, Reclaiming our Common Wealth argues that the short-term thinking of the election cycle is damaging Australia's long-term interests. We need a new approach to policy development based on consistent principles, underpinned by enduring values.

Towards a more egalitarian Australia? Making greater equality a principle for public policy

In this discussion paper, Frank Stilwell and Kirrily Jordan explain how the principle of equality can and should underpin Australian public policy.

A New Approach to Australia's health workforce

Jill Iliffe argues that any serious attempt to improve Australia's health policy must address the capacity, efficiency and flexibility of our health workforce.

A Health Policy for Australia: reclaiming universal care

A Health Policy for Australia: reclaiming universal health care shows how we can restore universalism and increase both equity and efficiency in health care - at no additional cost to the taxpayer.

Howard’s reforms and Australian values

This paper by Fred Argy discusses the impact of John Howard's WorkChoices and welfare-to-work agenda on workforce participation, productivity (living standards), equality (of incomes, opportunity and quality of life), personal freedom and self-reliance - all values highly prized by Australians. It then outlines an alternative social democratic agenda - one which mixes economic liberalism with active social intervention - and evaluates it on the same five criteria.

Upcoming ImagiNation papers

Left to the imagination: Schools funding in Australia - Lyndsay Connors
Future directions for Australia's cultural policy - Ben Eltham & Susan Kukucka


The Centre for Policy Development is an independent public interest think tank. Contact us