University of Melbourne welcomes new independent public policy ‘think tank’

Media Release, Wednesday 30 April 2008

The University of Melbourne has welcomed the announcement of a new national public policy institute to be established in Melbourne.

The University is a founding member of the institute with the Commonwealth and Victorian governments.

The announcement of the institute was made today (Wednesday 30 April 2008) by the Premier of Victoria John Brumby and Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne Professor Peter McPhee says the institute will be a non-aligned, evidence-driven body, designed to promote rational debate on how to meet Australia’s great challenges and opportunities.

The institute will foster open and wide-ranging public debate on topical themes and issues, both those emerging from the institute’s own research and beyond, through forums and by engaging in outreach programs for the broader community.

The proposal for the institute came from a group of individuals, under the chairmanship of Allan Myers QC, who won support from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments and the University of Melbourne.

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing a new signature premises and in-kind support for the new institute which will be an independent, affiliated body.