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Democratic Renewal


There is plenty of evidence to suggest democracy is in trouble. In Australia, more people are losing trust in our public institutions and processes. Business is viewed mistrustfully as well. Australians think their system increasingly fails to provide them a better quality of life, and there is growing indifference to democracy versus other forms of governance. We need to find ways to arrest these negative trends and restore the public’s confidence in its democratic system.

Latest Articles


How private management consultants took over the public service

Georgia Wilkinson - October 2021

Published in The Saturday Paper on October 9 2021. By Rick Morton, with comments from CEO Travers McLeod and Board Chair Terry Moran. On June 7, global management consulting firm McKinsey and...

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Our Federation and education in the wake of COVID-19 | ANU-CPD Policy Dialogue | October 2020

Allison Orr - November 2020

On 8 October, we hosted our first ANU-CPD Policy Dialogue for 2020, on ‘Our Federation and Education in the wake of COVID-19’.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now...

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Terry Moran AC delivers John Cain Lecture on ‘Federalism — Commonwealth, State and Local Government Working Together’

Allison Orr - November 2019

Federalism, subsidiarity, respect for local government and public enthusiasm for helping places around Australia to thrive economically and socially is the key to repairing the democratic vessel from which trust...

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The Australian criminal justice system and deep disadvantage I ANU-CPD Policy Dialogue I November 2019

communications - November 2019

On 15 November, we hosted our fourth ANU-CPD Policy Dialogue for 2019. Our focus was the Australian criminal justice system and deep disadvantage. The roundtable discussion featured opening remarks from...

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Travers McLeod’s response to Rebecca Huntley’s Quarterly Essay, Australia Fair: Listening to the Nation

Luisa Boll - July 2019

In reply to Rebecca Huntley’s Quarterly Essay, Australia Fair: Listening to the Nation TRAVERS MCLEOD At the heart of Rebecca Huntley’s Australia Fair is the idea that we are a nation of democrats....

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The young ones – Millennials get a bad rap but they’re focused on a future where they will have to live | Op-ed Travers McLeod | March 2019

Travers McLeod - March 2019

Published in the Australian on Friday, 15 Mar 2019 – Page 30 The young ones Millennials get a bad rap but they’re focused on a future where they will have...

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On a mission to save democracy | CPD Op-Ed

Travers McLeod - December 2018

Published in Inside Story on 7 December 2018 – Travers McLeod, Sam Hurley and Allison Orr Last week, former prime minister John Howard played down the Liberal Party’s hammering in the Victorian election by...

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Decentralisation and Democratic Renewal | ANU-CPD POLICY DIALOGUE | March 2018

communications - March 2018

On 29 March 2018, CPD and ANU invited leaders from government, business, civil society, academia and the media to discuss the question ‘can decentralisation boost our regions and improve Australia’s...

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Australia faces growing inequity and disadvantage in our schools. Our education system is separating into a hierarchy of advantaged and over-funded schools at the top end, and disadvantaged, under-funded schools at the bottom.

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Ensuring that newly arrived refugees settle effectively into their new local communities across Australia offers a range of great benefits to our society and economy.

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Fundamental to an active and effective government that is fit for purpose in the 21st century is strengthening the capabilities of our public sector.

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CPD has a track record of research into the effectiveness of employment services.

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