Committee for Economic Development of Australia
An independent, member-based Australian public policy think tank focused on economic and social development.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
The Committee for Economic Development of Australia, widely known as CEDA, is an independent, member-based public policy think tank concerned with Australia's economic and social development. Established in 1960 by economist Douglas Copland, it was modelled initially on the United States Committee for Economic Development. Over time, its organisational form developed closer to that of the US Conference Board and the Conference Board of Canada. CEDA brings together participants from business, government, academia and the wider community. Its role is to contribute research and informed discussion to public policy debates rather than to operate as a political party, government agency or conventional commercial consultancy. The organisation describes its objective as promoting national economic development in a sustainable and socially balanced way. Its work addresses questions that affect Australia's long-term prosperity and social outcomes, including economic reform, infrastructure, taxation, industrial relations, water, labour markets and other areas of public policy. The organisation's activities include publishing research and policy reports, convening conferences and public forums, and creating opportunities for decision-makers and other stakeholders to exchange views. These activities give CEDA a position between a research institution and a policy-discussion platform: it produces analysis while also using events and membership networks to bring together people with different institutional perspectives. Its stated independence from political parties is central to its public identity. CEDA has also played a role in the history of Australian business-policy coordination. In 1979, following debate about the organisation's involvement in lobbying, it established a separate Business Roundtable. That body was later merged into the Business Council of Australia in 1983. The separation reflected an effort to distinguish CEDA's research and public-policy discussion function from direct business representation and lobbying. The organisation is among Australia's oldest think tanks, following the Institute of Public Affairs and the Australian Institute of International Affairs in age according to the cited reference material. Its policy orientation is generally described as close to the centre of the policy spectrum, with a tendency to support market-oriented or price-based approaches in areas such as water supply and infrastructure. This does not make CEDA a political organisation; rather, it indicates the broad analytical perspective often associated with its policy work. CEDA's long-term work is guided by its Progress 2050 agenda, which frames policy questions around durable economic and social outcomes for Australia. The agenda reflects the organisation's emphasis on long-range national development rather than only short-term political cycles. As of April 2024, Christine Bartlett served as chair and Melinda Cilento served as chief executive officer. CEDA remains an active Australian institution that combines research, membership, events and policy engagement.
History
CEDA was founded in 1960 by economist Douglas Copland as an Australian institution dedicated to economic development and public-policy discussion. Its original model was the United States Committee for Economic Development, but the organisation subsequently evolved into a structure more comparable with the US Conference Board and the Conference Board of Canada. This evolution reflected CEDA's role as a continuing research and convening body rather than a narrowly defined lobbying organisation. During its early decades, CEDA became part of the development of Australia's independent economic-policy community. George Le Couteur served as president from 1968 to 1974. Neville Norman was an economic adviser from 1975 to 1992, while Neil Warren served as research director from 1988 to 1990. These roles illustrate the organisation's links with professional economists and academic policy research. CEDA's relationship with business representation became an institutional issue in the late 1970s. After debate about its involvement in lobbying, the organisation established a Business Roundtable in 1979 as an independent entity. The roundtable was subsequently merged into the Business Council of Australia in 1983. This separation helped distinguish CEDA's public-policy research and discussion role from the direct representation of business interests. John Nieuwenhuysen became research director in the late 1980s and later became chief executive officer in 1996. During his leadership, CEDA expanded collaborative research involving Australian universities, including work on taxation and industrial-relations reform. The organisation continued to use research publications, events and cross-sector engagement to influence the quality of public discussion without presenting itself as a political party or government body. CEDA's stated purpose is to promote national economic development in a sustainable and socially balanced manner. Its policy work has generally been characterised as centrist, while often favouring market-oriented or price-based solutions in fields such as water and infrastructure. The organisation has sought to inform debate rather than lobby for a party position; this distinction has been noted in commentary about its role in Australian public life. In its contemporary form, CEDA is a member-based organisation involving representatives and participants from business, government, academia and the community. It produces research, hosts policy forums and provides a setting for discussion of economic and social challenges. Its Progress 2050 agenda gives this work a long-term framework focused on Australia's economic and social outcomes. As of April 2024, Christine Bartlett was chair and Melinda Cilento was chief executive officer. CEDA remains active as one of Australia's oldest established think tanks.
- 2024
Contemporary leadership recorded
[1]As of April 2024, Christine Bartlett is chair and Melinda Cilento is chief executive officer.
- 1996
John Nieuwenhuysen becomes chief executive officer
[1]John Nieuwenhuysen becomes CEO after serving as research director and expands collaborative research with Australian universities.
- 1988
Neil Warren serves as research director
[1]Neil Warren holds the research director role from 1988 to 1990.
- 1983
Business Roundtable joins the Business Council of Australia
[1]The independent Business Roundtable is merged into the Business Council of Australia.
- 1979
Business Roundtable is created
[1]CEDA establishes an independent Business Roundtable following debate over the organisation's involvement in lobbying.
- 1975
Neville Norman begins advisory role
[1]Neville Norman serves as an economic adviser to CEDA through 1992.
- 1968
George Le Couteur becomes president
[1]George Le Couteur begins a presidency that continues through 1974.
- 1960
CEDA is established
[1]Economist Douglas Copland forms the Committee for Economic Development of Australia as an institution focused on national economic development and policy discussion.
Products and positioning
An independent, member-based policy research and convening organisation positioned between a think tank and a cross-sector public-policy forum. CEDA presents itself as politically independent and generally operates near the centre of Australia's policy debate, with an emphasis on sustainable and socially balanced national economic development.
Policy research
Research reports
CEDA's research reports examine Australian economic and social policy questions. The organisation's work has included issues such as taxation, industrial relations, infrastructure, water and broader national development. These publications are intended to contribute evidence and analysis to public debate rather than function as commercial products.
Public policy convening
Policy forums and events
CEDA hosts conferences, forums and other discussions that connect business, government, academic and community participants. The events provide a platform for presenting research and debating policy choices affecting Australia's economy and society.
Long-term policy agenda
Progress 2050
Progress 2050 is CEDA's long-term organising agenda. It focuses the organisation's policy work on economic and social outcomes over an extended horizon, reflecting its emphasis on sustainable national development rather than only immediate political issues.
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