ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The Don Chipp Foundation is an independent research body affiliated with the Australian Democrats. Don Chipp, as the founder of the Australian Democrats, vowed to 'Keep the bastards honest'. The Foundation aims to retain that basic premise through the promotion of fiercely independent research and public debate. We seek to challenge as well as to inform current mainstream views on issues of great importance to the Australian community.

OUR VISION

An Australia which values the ideals of honesty, tolerance and compassion embodied in a civil society.

OUR MISSION

To promote the values of a civil society through active engagement in public policy debates on issues which impact on the Australian community.

Objectives

• To foster and sponsor research on issues related to the promotion of social and economic justice within the Australian community;
• To implement the results of the above research for the betterment of Australian politics and society through encouragement of discussion and debate in all spheres of the community from the academy to the corporate sector to local neighbourhood centres.

Programs and Activities

The Foundation undertakes to conduct or commission research, hold seminars, organise public lectures and encourage discussion on matters of public interest, including:

• the impact of an aging population on health costs;
• Reform of our compensation and public liability insurance system;
• Voting patterns for minor parties in the last twenty years;
• Liberal democratic ideals - characteristics and voter appeal;
• Advantages and disadvantages of a Bill of Rights in an age of fear;
• Privatisation - costs and benefits;
• Talking to the people - The main discourses within the Australian community;
• Corporate Governance and corporate responsibility: what does it entail;
• Increasing representation of women in politics;
• Needs of Regional Australia.

Research Management Process

The Foundation calls for expressions of interest for small grant applications on an annual basis. The Foundation will provide specific guidelines for these small grants at the time of application. The Foundation will also commission research on specific topics it deems to be significant. The Foundation will from time to time sponsor public forums on issues of public concern.

The Foundation's Annual Report for 2004/2005 is available for download PDF