Policies for a fair & sustainable future: New Matilda

‘Reclaiming our Common Wealth’ launch at NSW Parliament House

Have you discovered New Matilda?

New Matilda – an online news and public policy portal – describes itself as:

“non-aligned, independent and progressive…..[providing] informed and intelligent commentary on issues without the usual spin found in so much mainstream media today….[presenting] different viewpoints and fresh perspectives that are published nowhere else….the only news and commentary site that includes an active policy portal for the development of policies based on the public good.”

This week New Matilda launches Our Common Wealth – policies for a fair and sustainable future – a document to guide future policy development. Those presenting the document are:

• Wendy Harmer MC
• John Menadue AO (Chair, New Matilda)
• John Robertson (Secretary, Unions NSW)
• Professor John Dwyer (UNSW)
• Professor Denise Bradley (UniSA)
• Virginia Young (The Wilderness Society).

These people decry the lack of vision in Australian policy-making and generally call for a new approach to policy development, based on Australia’s long-term interests and values.

Over the next six to nine months, New Matilda will be producing policies in the areas of health, education, environment, media, and ‘economic policy for working Australians’.

It aims to influence decision makers at all levels of politics, to demonstrate that there is an alternative to today’s shallow, short-term approach to public policy. New Matilda believes – as does PWF – that there is a deep and under-recognised demand to put the values of freedom, fairness, citizenship, ethical responsibility and stewardship back into Australian policy development.

Comments and feedback are welcomed in the ‘Our Common Wealth’ policy forum.