Grattan Institute
Encyclopedia
Grattan Institute is an Australia
n public policy
think tank
, established in 2008. The Melbourne
-based institute is non-aligned, however it defines itself as, "Grattan Institute contributes to public policy in Australia as a liberal democracy in a globalised economy." – it is funded by an independent endowment, with major contributions from the Australian Federal Government, the State Government of Victoria, the University of Melbourne
and BHP Billiton
.
Grattan Institute focuses on five key policy areas: Cities, Schools Education, Higher Education, Energy and Productivity. These programs were chosen with the belief that evidence-based research could make a demonstrable difference to Australia’s public policy debate in these areas. Grattan Institute also makes provision for experts in other fields to work under its umbrella.
s, and broader business and non-government leaders, who believed that Australian political life lacked a heavyweight independent think thank.
Through the course of 2005 this idea was fleshed out by several people in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, including discussions with a number of Australia’s corporate leaders.
At the end of 2005 the Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks
, met with the Federal Treasurer Peter Costello
to define the theme for the think tank: Australia as a liberal democracy
in a globalised economy, a phrase now enshrined in the Constitution of Grattan Institute.
Links between Melbourne University, Victorian Government, and corporate Australia, along with a supportive report from McKinsey and Company, were the basis for then Victorian Premier Bracks and Treasurer Brumby in early 2007 promising significant Victorian Government funding for the idea, and asking Melbourne University to assist.
In April 2008, Commonwealth and Victorian Governments announced matching funding, along with support in kind from the University of Melbourne. Commitments followed soon after from BHP
and National Australia Bank
.
Grattan Institute was incorporated in November 2008, and its first Chief Executive, John Daley, commenced in January 2009.
Program Heads
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n public policy
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
, established in 2008. The Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
-based institute is non-aligned, however it defines itself as, "Grattan Institute contributes to public policy in Australia as a liberal democracy in a globalised economy." – it is funded by an independent endowment, with major contributions from the Australian Federal Government, the State Government of Victoria, the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
and BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
.
Grattan Institute focuses on five key policy areas: Cities, Schools Education, Higher Education, Energy and Productivity. These programs were chosen with the belief that evidence-based research could make a demonstrable difference to Australia’s public policy debate in these areas. Grattan Institute also makes provision for experts in other fields to work under its umbrella.
History
Grattan Institute began with pressure from senior figures in the Victorian Public Service, academic institutionAcademic institution
Academic institution is an educational institution dedicated to education and research, which grants academic degrees. See also academy and university.- Types of academic institutions include :...
s, and broader business and non-government leaders, who believed that Australian political life lacked a heavyweight independent think thank.
Through the course of 2005 this idea was fleshed out by several people in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, including discussions with a number of Australia’s corporate leaders.
At the end of 2005 the Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks
Steve Bracks
Stephen Philip Bracks AC is a former Australian politician and the 44th Premier of Victoria. He first won the electoral district of Williamstown in 1994 for the Australian Labor Party, and was party leader and Premier from 1999 to 2007....
, met with the Federal Treasurer Peter Costello
Peter Costello
Peter Howard Costello AC is an Australian politician and lawyer who served as the Treasurer in the Australian government from 1996 to 2007. He is the longest-serving Treasurer in Australian history. Costello was a Member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1990 to 2009, representing...
to define the theme for the think tank: Australia as a liberal democracy
Liberal democracy
Liberal democracy, also known as constitutional democracy, is a common form of representative democracy. According to the principles of liberal democracy, elections should be free and fair, and the political process should be competitive...
in a globalised economy, a phrase now enshrined in the Constitution of Grattan Institute.
Links between Melbourne University, Victorian Government, and corporate Australia, along with a supportive report from McKinsey and Company, were the basis for then Victorian Premier Bracks and Treasurer Brumby in early 2007 promising significant Victorian Government funding for the idea, and asking Melbourne University to assist.
In April 2008, Commonwealth and Victorian Governments announced matching funding, along with support in kind from the University of Melbourne. Commitments followed soon after from BHP
BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
and National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank is one of the four largest financial institutions in Australia in terms of market capitalisation and customers. NAB is ranked 17th largest bank in the world measured by market capitalisation...
.
Grattan Institute was incorporated in November 2008, and its first Chief Executive, John Daley, commenced in January 2009.
Executive
- CEO - John Daley
Program Heads
- Productivity Growth - Saul Eslake
- Schools Education - Ben Jensen
- Energy - Tony Wood
- Higher Education - Andrew Norton
- Cities - Jane-Frances Kelly.
Board of directors
- Chairman - Mr. Allan Myers AO QC
- Ms. Patricia Cross AM
- Professor Glyn Davis AC
- Professor John Funder AO
- Dr. David Kemp
- Mr. Marius Kloppers
- Mr. Terry Moran AO
- Mr. Peter Scanlon
- Dr. Julianne Schultz AM
- Ms. Helen Silver.