JOHN CAIN
FOUNDATION
THE CHAIR’S
REPORT
FOREWORD FROM THE
HONOURABLE JOHN CAIN
FORMER PREMIER OF VICTORIA
We are an independent think tank with a commitment to build a stronger social democracy in Australia. We stand for the courage of ideas, long term strategic thinking, fairness of opportunity and building a sustainable environment and economy.
The Foundation Meeting of the nucleus of the current Board of Directors was held in April 2013. Much of the first year involved establishment of the Foundation as a legal entity and appointment of Directors. Partnerships were formed with the University of Melbourne and with other complementary organisations such as the Brotherhood of St Lawrence.
The Foundation was formally launched by Professor Glyn Davis, Vice Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, in October 2014. This report covers operational activities for the period to end June 2015.
Our strategic priorities reflect our public position as a think tank for social democracy. The program of work during our first year described in this report reflects that important objective. A major project has been to research the problems facing young people in Australia, covering the practical issues they face in daily life, as well as the disillusionment of many with our political processes. The John Cain Foundation is not funded by government or by the corporate sector. Donations from supporters and fees charged for admission to events such as seminars and policy lunches provide necessary working capital. Directors and a small group of close supporters are responsible for the development and implementation of our program of work.
It is with some pride and satisfaction that I reflect on our first two years as the newest progressive think tank in Australia. The issues for our country are complex and many. We will continue to strive to achieve our core objective, to make an informed contribution to the public polity in Victoria and nationally.
John W. Cain It is with pride and satisfaction that I write the foreword
to this, our 2013-15 Report. I use the words pride and satisfaction because the real test of any initiative like this Foundation is how effectively, quickly and faithfully you fulfill your expressed objectives and around which people have given trust and consequent support.
Such success draws supporters and contributors together in a sense of common purpose in pursuing the objects of the Foundation. The activities and initiatives taken have embraced many of the priority issues that were identified at the outset, including speakers at monthly lunches, seminars and conferences and the publication of a collection of essays about issues facing youth titled
Under the Pump.
Current Australian politics demonstrates that much remains for us to do.
My thanks and admiration to all who have contributed to this success story.
The Honorable John Cain
The John Cain Foundation was established by a
group of Victorians whose common purpose is to
enrich the breadth and quality of public debate on
issues and policies important to Australia.
A PRODUCTIVE AND
ENERGETIC START TO
A NEW THINK TANK
It has been an energetic and productive start for the Foundation in all ways. We convened a number of public events on several topics in our first full year of operation. The style of events varied – a conference, lectures, seminars, lunch-time presentations and discussions – and topics covered ranged from the discussion of questions of moral philosophy to grounded policy review of urban planning and education.
SUPPORTERS –
ESSENTIAL TO OUR SUCCESS
We could not do any of this work without the on-going support from a strong and informed supporter base. Our revenue comes entirely from private donations, occasional sponsorship for events and the fees we charge.
We received almost $50,000 in donations from supporters to end June 2015. Without this support we could not operate. We will continue to rely on these levels of support. The program of the John Cain Foundation is ambitious.
PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships are critical to our way of working, in particular our close partnerships with the University of Melbourne and RMIT University. Other partnerships include the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Per Capita and the Whitlam Institute.
During the reporting period plans were laid for two major conferences in November this year:
– The Legacy of Whitlam / Hamer: Issues for Australian Cities – Work & Technology:
Challenges for the Future
Our partners at the University of Melbourne and RMIT University are supporting us in organising these events. We also plan on-going discussion of the issues facing young people raised by contributors to our first book – Under the Pump. Many of the government and non-government agencies working with youth have expressed interest in working with us and a variety of forums will be convened in the coming twelve months.
It has been an exciting start to a very important endeavour. We look forward to a continued strong association with our supporters and partners and invite all to contribute to the strategic vision of the Foundation as we go forward.
CELEBRATING GOUGH
Australia mourned the death of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 2014. The John Cain Foundation used the occasion to celebrate the achievements of a leader the country remembers as audacious and principled, greater in stature than his peers before or since. More than 200 people attended the event at the Wheeler Centre in Melbourne.
Speakers included:
– The Honourable John Cain
– The Honourable Barry Jones AC
– The Honourable Race Mathews
– Iola Mathews OAM
WALKER CONVERSATION
The annual Walker Conversation is held in honour of the late Evan Walker AO, Minister in the Cain Government from 1982–90 and Leader of the Upper House. It has to date been hosted by Housing Choices Australia. In May 2015 agreement was reached with Housing Choices Australia that the John Cain Foundation will convene the event from 2015.
The Walker Conversation takes the form of a facilitated conversation between experts in the fields of urban planning and design on current issues of importance to the Victorian community.
It was agreed that in 2015 the Conversation should be about how and when the public should be involved in planning decisions, with panelists:
– Michelle Quigley QCPlanning Barrister
CONFERENCE –
STATES, MARKETS & A CIVIL SOCIETY
A fundamental theme underpinning all our work is redefinition of the concept of social democracy, as political and moral philosophy and as a framework for good policy. Early in 2015 the Foundation convened a major conference dealing directly with these issues. Titled ‘States, Markets and Civil Society’, the conference featured internationally recognised economist and political philosopher Baron Maurice Glassman.
ANNUAL JOHN CAIN LECTURE
A strategic priority of the John Cain Foundation is an annual lecture in the name of the former Premier. The Board determined that the lecture will feature speakers who are concerned with social democracy and political philosophy. In 2015 the invited speaker is Dr Nick Dyrenfurth who will speak on directions for progressive political thinkers at the first Annual John Cain Lecture on 11 November 2015.
The vision of the John Cain Foundation has been from the start
to increase the quantum of quality public discussion of issues
important to the nation, and in particular the State of Victoria, at
a time when political discourse has reached a low ebb.
RECOGNISING
HEROES ON THE
LEFT OF POLITICS
SOCIAL
DEMOCRACY:
WHERE TO NOW?
3 2SEMINARS,
LECTURES
PRESENTATIONS
UNDER THE PUMP
THE PRESSURES ON YOUNG AUSTRALIANS
An edited volume of essays by experts canvassing issues and challenges for youth was commissioned in late 2014 and completed in June 2015. The book, titled Under the Pump, provides a basis for on-going discussion of these important issues. The decision to produce a book of essays followed consultation with a number of organisations and individuals with policy expertise in issues affecting young people.
The book is the start of a process of exploring problems experienced by young people in today’s Australia. Contributors to the book include Johanna Wyn; Andrew Leigh & Jennifer Rayner; Shelley Mallett & George Myconos; Dr Mary Leahy; Professor John Polesel; Dr John Spierings; Wendy Stone; Brian Howe; Marcus Spiller and Amando Mazzei; Kate Colvin; Christine Parrott, Dot Henning and Donna Eade; Helen Cahill and Michelle Walter; Eric Sidoti; and Tim Corney.
A priority for the Foundation in 2015 and 2016 is exploration of issues in city planning and sustainable development.
Agreement was reached with the RMIT Centre for Urban Studies, Melbourne University’s Sustainable Society Institute and the Hamer Family Fund to hold a conference in November 2015 to celebrate the urban planning achievements of the Whitlam and Hamer governments. The conference will also focus on the lessons to be learned and to consider what needs to done again to create the conditions for Australian government participation and leadership on urban issues.
DR GEOFF GALLOP:
WHAT DOES LABOR STAND FOR?
In August 2014 well known academic and former Premier of Western Australia, Dr Geoff Gallop, presented a lecture to a crowded auditorium titled “ What Does Labor Stand For?”
Dr Gallop’s ideas questioned the values espoused by and apparent in the decisions of recent Labor Governments. It was a timely presentation, inspiring spirited response from many in the audience.
SCHOOL EDUCATION AND POST SECONDARY TRAINING
Education is a critical issue for youth – its quality, accessibility, relevance to employment and life skills and cost.
In February 2015 the John Cain Foundation organised a seminar at the University of Melbourne to explore some of these issues. Four expert speakers presented their ideas on the issues facing the Victorian Government in school education and post secondary training.
John Cain Foundation Director, Maxine McKew, facilitated the session and contributed to the discussion based on her research at the Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne.
Speakers at the seminar were: – Professor John Polesel
– Peter Noonan
– Professor Field Rickards
– Dean Ashenden
MONTHLY POLICY LUNCHES
The policy lunch series was initiated in May 2015. Lunches are held monthly at the Graduate House, University of Melbourne. The lunches give supporters an opportunity to hear speakers on topics important to Australia today and to meet other progressive thinkers. The first series was dedicated to urban planning issues in cities. The lunches are scheduled for the first Wednesday in the month throughout out the year.
Attendance at the events in May and June was good and audiences were enthusiastic in their response to the ideas presented by the two speakers.
The first two lunches explored the theme of Sustainable Cities.
May Policy Lunch: – Dr Peter Newton
Swinburne University
Regenerating Australia’s Middle Suburbs: Towards a Greyfields Model of Development June Policy Lunch:
– Professor Michael Buxton RMIT University Melbourne Livable or Dysfunctional City
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YOUNG
PEOPLE UNDER
PRESSURE
SUSTAINABLE
CITIES – A CRITICAL
ISSUE FOR AUSTRALIA
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
JOHN CAIN
CHAIR
John is a senior Melbourne solicitor and son of the former Premier. He has worked as a lawyer for in excess of 30 years at Maurice Blackburn and other firms, as well as government. He has served as the CEO of the Law Institute Victoria and the Victorian Government Solicitor. He takes up the position of Victorian Chief Prosecutor in November 2015.
BRIAN HOWE
DEPUTY CHAIR
Brian is a prominent public intellectual whose career includes a number of years as a member of the Australian Parliament. He was Deputy Prime Minister in the Hawke Government of the 1980s. Currently he is a Professorial Associate at the Centre for Public Policy at Melbourne University. He is interested in a range of social policy issues including employment, vocational education, ageing and social housing.
YVETTE NASH
TREASURER
Yvette is a lawyer who has worked for more than a decade as an advisor to State and Federal Labor Governments and is currently Chief of Staff to the Federal Shadow Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs. She is optimistic about the capacity of Labor Governments to develop public policy that is in the long term interests of our community.
FAITH FITZGERALD
SECRETARY
Faith has a long career in senior management in the public and private sectors. She was a member of the MMBW for 8 years and Councillor and Mayor of the City of Doncaster and Templestowe. She is currently a Director of Whole Systems Work, a management consultancy group based in Melbourne, and sits on several boards.
JOHN HOWIE
John is a lawyer running his own legal practice. He has chaired a number of public bodies including Victorian Legal Aid, Film Victoria and the Sports Federation Victoria (VicSport). He has also been active on the Boards of many community groups including the Montsalvat Board, Vision 2020, The Avoca Project, the Law Foundation of Victoria, the Advisory Board of La Trobe University Law School, the National Tennis Centre Board of Trustees, Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust and Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).
HON DR BARRY O JONES AC
Barry joined the ALP in 1950 and has served as a State and Federal MP, a Minister and ALP National President amongst many other roles. Today he says he specialises in proffering unsought advice (often rejected). He has published a lot.
HON MAXINE MCKEW
Maxine is an Hon Fellow of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and the author of Class Act and Tales from the Political Trenches. She has a thirty year background as a broadcast journalist with the ABC. In 2007 she made the switch to politics and defeated John Howard in the Sydney seat of Bennelong. She served as a Federal MP from 2007 to 2010 and was Parliamentary Secretary for early childhood, and later for infrastructure and local government.
CHRIS GALLAGHER
Chris is a strategy consultant and has held senior public sector management positions with Major Projects Victoria and the City of Melbourne. She was a Ministerial Adviser to two Planning Ministers in John Cain’s government. She has been Chair of the Heritage Council of Victoria and served on several State Government advisory bodies and the boards of various community groups.
ANDREW HERINGTON
Andrew has had a long career as a ministerial adviser and currently works for several Ministers of the Victorian Government. He worked for Premier John Cain on significant reforms such as the Nuclear Free Victoria Act 1983 and the Tobacco Act 1987. Andrew also spent time working in senior management at Melbourne Water and the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s office.
DANIEL NICHOLSON
Daniel works is social worker. He currently works in a community housing pilot project that tackles youth homelessness. He has previously worked as a trade union organiser and a research assistant.
NAME APPOINTED
John William Cain 09.04.2013 AGM 2016
Brian Leslie Howe 09.04.2013 AGM 2015
John Anthony Howie 09.04.2013 AGM 2017
Christine Ellen Gallagher 09.04.2013 AGM 2017
Maxine McKew 30.09.2013 AGM 2016
Andrew Herington 30.09.2013 AGM 2016 Faith FitzGerald 30.09.2013 AGM 2016
Daniel Nicholson 07.05.2014 AGM 2016 Yvette Nash 07.05.2014 AGM 2015
Barry Jones 11.08.2014 AGM 2016
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BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS
TERMS OF
APPOINTMENT
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
INCOME $ Donations 48,768.00 Sales 22,599.51 – Whitlam Event 5,256.00 – Conference 11,350.63 – Monthly Lunches 5,043.27 – Seminars 949.61 Interest 10.46 Total Income 71,377.97 EXPENDITURE $ Project Expenditure 16,791.64 – Venue hire 1,136.00 – Catering 7,650.30 – Editing (Under the Pump) 5,000.00 – ALP fringe program 800.00 – Travel expenditure 620.40 – Advertising 330.00 – Gifts for speakers 67.94 – Printing costs 337.00 – Video production 850.00 Other Expenditure 7,471.71 – Web site 1,771.20 – Social media 94.00 – Brochure 275.00 – Banner 418.00 – Poastage 162.00 – PO Box 115.00 – Project officer payments 3,995.31 – Miscellaneous expenditure 641.20Total Expenditure 24,263.35 Gross Profit (Loss) 47,114.62
EQUITY $ Unappropriated profit 52,418.65 Total Equity 52,418.65 Represented by: Current Assets – Cash at Bank 52,418.65 – Debtors 200.00 Total Assets 52,618.65 Current Liabilities – Creditors – Total Liabilities – Net Assets 52,418.65 9 8
PROFIT/LOSS
STATEMENT
2014–15
BALANCE
SHEET
2014–15
JOHN CAIN
FOUNDATION
BECOME A SUPPORTER
We rely on the generosity of our supporters. By supporting the John Cain Foundation, you are making a commitment to building a stronger social democracy for the next generation. You are contributing to policy thinking that goes beyond the political cycle. We are a volunteer board with low administrative costs so the money you donate goes to our projects.
HOW TO DONATE
Tax deductible donations can be made to support specific events and projects. Current projects are listed on our website. Alternatively, let us know of a project you think we should be pursuing
Become a Founding Supporter by making an annual contribution from $500 and receive priority access to special John Cain Foundation events.
Become a Friend of the Foundation for $100 annually ($30 concession) to receive discounted event tickets. Donations can be made though our website:
www.johncainfoundation.com.au
CONTACT US
