(From left) Professor Thomas Martin, Professor Greg Craven, Professor Scott Prasser, Associate Professor Patrick McArdle.

Australian public policy arena gets a new player

Political journalist and author Paul Kelly spoke at the launch of the University's Public Policy Institute (PPi) in Canberra on Wednesday.

The PPi will contribute to intellectual debate on the economic, social, cultural and environmental drivers impacting on Australia and will be based in Canberra.

Professor Scott Prasser, Foundation Executive Director and Professor at the Institute, said the University has recognised that the increase in government intervention in our society is having wide-ranging impacts - both intended and unintended - on people, attitudes and our future.

"Real challenges loom about the nature, extent and form of this intervention and what sort of society we might become and what sort of society we really want," he said.

"Through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, the Institute will ensure an approach to informing public policy based upon ethics, faith, human rights, the dignity of human life and community engagement," he said.

Human rights advocate Father Frank Brennan is also a member of the Public Policy Institute.