CEDA (the Committee for Economic Development of Australia) is an independent, bipartisan, non-profit forum and think tank. Its expressed aim is to "promote national economic development in a sustainable and socially balanced way." Sydney Morning Herald economics editor Ross Gittins has described CEDA as seeking to "inform the public debate without lobbying". It is financed by around 900 members drawn from business, universities, governments and community groups, and by a program of conferences and other events. In a two-party system (such as in the United States), bipartisan refers to any bill, act, resolution, or any other action of a political body in which both of the major political parties are in agreement. ... A non-profit organization (often called non-profit org or simply non-profit or not-for-profit) can be seen as an organization that doesnt have a goal to make a profit. ... This article is about the institution. ... Wall Street, Manhattan is the location of the New York Stock Exchange and is often used as a symbol for the world of business. ... A university is an institution of higher education and of research, which grants academic degrees. ...

Foundation

CEDA was formed in 1960 by Sir Douglas Copland, one of the most influential figures in Australian economics. It was modelled on the US CED (Committee for Economic Development), but is now organised along lines more similar to the US Conference Board and the Conference Board of Canada. It is Australia's second oldest think-tank, after the Institute of Public Affairs. It has been suggested that Economic history of Australia be merged into this article or section. ... The Conference Board is the worlds preeminent business membership and research organization, best known for the Consumer Confidence Index and the index of leading indicators. ... The Conference Board of Canada is a not-for-profit Canadian organization dedicated to researching and analyzing economic trends, as well as organizational performance and public policy issues. ... The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) is a conservative think tank based in Melbourne, Australia. ...

In 1979, after a debate on CEDA's involvement in lobbying, it established the Business Roundtable and then spun it off. The Business Roundtable soon became the Business Council of Australia. The Business Council of Australia (BCA) represents the chief executives of approximately 100 large Australian corporations. ...

Current Research

CEDA's research program today concentrates on long-term issues, including education, economic infrastructure (roads, ports, electricity systems et al), population ageing, management of water, and business innovation. Rather than identifying strongly with a particular ideological viewpoint in the style of the Centre for Independent Studies, the Institute of Public Affairs or the Australia Institute, it mostly offers conclusions that are near the centre of the policy spectrum. It tends to favour market-oriented or at least price-oriented solutions to issues such as water supply and infrastructure. However, a substantial amount of its social policy work - for instance, on transitional labour markets - is sympathetic to government intervention in appropriate circumstances. It is respected for the quality of its research and its commitment to open debate as a means of identifying good policy outcomes. The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is an Australian think tank, founded in April 1976 by Greg Lindsay (Executive Director). ... The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) is a conservative think tank based in Melbourne, Australia. ... Australia Institute logo The Australia Institute is an Australian think tank conducting public policy research, funded by grants from philanthropic trusts, memberships and commissioned research. ...

External links

• CEDA

References

• The Bridge by CEDA Staff (1990), published by CEDA - the most recent history.
• Problems & Progress, edited by Harvey Mitchell (1985), published by CEDA - with contributions by Neville Norman, Phil Ruthven, Dame Leonie Kramer and others.