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Patrons

CEDA's patrons have made valuable contributions to CEDA over many years.

CEDA gratefully acknowledges our patrons who have supported our research and share our vision to provide non-partisan analysis on the economic and social issues affecting Australia through research and events.

CEDA has four patrons:

• MA (Tim) Besley AC
• Sir Eric Neal AC
• Dr Maurice Newman AC
• Sir Arvi Parbo AC

MA (Tim) Besley AC

I was introduced to CEDA in the early 1960s soon after its formation. I was involved in the preparation of a CEDA speech for Sir William Hudson, who was a friend of CEDA's founder Sir Douglas Copland. At the time Sir William told me how important CEDA was and that it would have much to contribute to Australia.

Some ten years later I became actively engaged with CEDA when Peter Grey was CEO and I was Chairman of the Board. I became a Trustee of CEDA in the early 1980s.

Over it's more than 50 years of existence CEDA has achieved a pre-eminent position as a broker of ideas and as a thought leader. Through its various programs it exposes and promotes discussion of issues of national significance. Its reports have long been respected for presenting objective, well-researched and apolitical advice and commentary.

I am honoured to be appointed as a patron of such a well-respected organisation which, as Sir William Hudson foreshadowed more than half a century ago, has indeed contributed much to Australia. I have no doubt it will continue to do so.

Sir Eric Neal AC

Sir Eric Neal served as CEO and then Managing Director of Boral and its subsidiary companies in the USA, UK and Pacific Islands, from 1973 until 1987.

He served as a Director of Wormald, John Fairfax, Westpac as Chair, Coca-Cola Amatil, Metal Manufacturers as Chair, Atlas Copco Australia as Chair, BHP and AMP.

He served as Governor of South Australia from 1996 until 2001, the first businessman to fill that role. He also served as Chancellor of Flinders University for eight years until 2010.

He is currently Chair of the SA Governments' Road Safety Advisory Council and its Veterans' Advisory Council.

Dr Maurice Newman AC:

It's a genuine honour for me to be CEDA's patron.

As a trustee, I have been associated with CEDA for more than thirty years of productive engagement. Not only has this association played an important role in my own career development, it has also given me a first-hand appreciation of how CEDA's platforms and research have influenced the development of sound public policy in this country. It is not hyperbole to say, that if there had been no CEDA, the public discourse would have been poorer and the outcomes more problematic. This is why the organisation enjoys such a strong and respected reputation and continues to attract the most senior business, government and, political leaders to its meetings. Through this medium our members can contribute directly to the national debate.

Of course, aside from its forums and research, CEDA provides many other valuable services, education and mentoring being among them.

This is why I see it as such a privilege to be CEDA's patron. I can take pride in being actively involved in all the good things CEDA brings to the Australian community.

Sir Arvi Parbo AC:

CEDA has been described as an apolitical, non-profit, national, independent, member-based organisation providing thought leadership and policy perspectives on the economic and social issues affecting Australia. Since it was established in 1960, it has done exactly that. Today, CEDA's objective and independent knowledge and research-based evaluation of vital matters affecting the future of all Australians is more important than ever.

It has been a privilege for me to be associated with CEDA's activities for many years.

It is a great honour to be appointed one of CEDA's Patrons.