About the Chifley Research Centre
The Chifley Research Centre is committed to the advancement of public policy debate and progressive thinking in Australia. To this end, the Centre:
- Promotes policy discussion in universities and throughout political and industrial forums;
- Commissions academic research into pressing and long term public policy issues affecting Australia;
- Provides strategic policy advice to the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party;
- Works in conjunction with other research and intellectual bodies to promote better understanding of the Australian political and policy environment.
The CRC takes a broad approach to public policy research but prioritises three important policy themes through its work:
- Dealing with the legacy of neglect
- Tackling the challenges of the future
- New politics and new ways of governing
Through these themes the CRC aims to provide a strong foundation for debate and practical policy making. We aim to provide the commentary and analysis that can assist government, the Labor Party and the progressive community to respond to the issues of today in new and creative ways.
Chifley also looks to partner in our work with progressive and independent academics, university research organisations, international think-tanks and our very own Australian network of think-tanks.
You can find out more about our work on this website, or by contacting the centre on info@chifley.org.au
Governance of the Chifley Research Centre
The activities of the Chifley Research Centre are overseen by a Board of Directors.
The Chifley Research Centre is supported by the Commonwealth Government through a grant in aid administered by the Department of Finance and Deregulation. It has Deductible Gift Recipient status under the Income Tax Act 1997, making all donations to it tax deductible.
please visit our new Labor History page www.laborhistory.org.au
Joseph Benedict (Ben) Chifley was Australian Prime Minister from 1945 until 1949. As PM he is remembered for significant public policy achievements such as full employment, welfare state reforms, the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, and the establishment of Trans-Australian Airlines and the Australian National University.
In Chifley's most famous speech in 1949 he described the 'light on the hill' - the objective towards which the Australian labour movement must continually strive. In his own words:
"I try to think of the Labour movement, not as putting an extra
sixpence into somebody's pocket, or making somebody Prime Minister or Premier,
but as a movement bringing something better to the people, better standards of
living, greater happiness to the mass of the people. We have a great objective
- the light on the hill - which we aim to reach by working for the betterment
of mankind not only here but anywhere we may give a helping hand".
Born in
Bathurst
22 September 1885, Ben Chifley was brought up on a farm by his grandfather. A
voracious reader, he joined the New South Wales Railway in 1903 and became an
engine driver in 1914. In the meantime he developed a keen interest in finance
and economics, an interest he maintained throughout his political career.
As a federal parliamentarian Chifley held
Macquarie
(1928-1931 and 1940-1951) for the ALP, a Party he led from the time of John
Curtin's death in 1945 until his own passing in 1951. His frontbench
responsibilities included the defence, treasury and post-war reconstruction
portfolios. He remained treasurer after his ascension to the prime
ministership.
Chifley died as leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party in 1951 in Canberra. He remains a cherished figure in Australian history, an icon of the Australian Labor Party, and an inspirational example to all.
Chifley is best remembered for his reorganisation of the Australian economy during wartime, and also his efforts in laying the foundations for the welfare state from 1945. His belief in democratic socialism, the guiding philosophy of the Labor Party, led him to attempt to nationalise the banking sector, a move that was eventually defeated in the High Court. His contribution to other areas of Australia's post-war consensus included in national reconstruction, through great national projects like the Snowy Mountains Hydro, and in the wave of post-war immigration that has so enriched Australia
In Ben Chifley's memory, the Chifley Research Centre endeavours to develop informed, reformist public policy dedicated to the pursuit of the light on the hill he articulated so enduringly. Like Chifley, we work towards a more progressive Australia.