Our public debate is not a civilised contest over policy options but a bare-knuckle boxing match between populist politicians, and the political tide seems to be turning against attempts to put long-term social goals ahead of short-term individual ones. 

In this excerpt from her introduction to CPD’s new book, Pushing our luck: ideas for Australian progress, Miriam considers the historical, social and practical constraints on making serious policy change in this country. She finds that the book’s contributors have found good grounds for hoping against hope, and even asserting that “we have not yet reached the peak of Australian progress”. 

Pushing our luck is about finding practical ways of ensuring that Australia’s current prosperity will last longer, and is shared more fairly.