In March of this year, at the Oration to the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs, I announced that the government would establish a new body to promote partnerships and philanthropy in Australia.
It is with great pleasure that today I announce the membership of the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership, which I will chair.
The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Jocelyn Newman, will be Deputy Chairman.
I am delighted that eleven prominent Australians have agreed to be part of this ground breaking initiative. The Partnership will play an important role in developing a new social coalition for Australia by fostering new partnerships between community, government and business. It will also broker major philanthropic and partnership efforts, and provide a source of innovative and creative approaches to meeting needs within our community.
The inclusion of four members - Elizabeth Cham from Philanthropy Australia, David Gonski of Wentworth Associates, Patrick McClure of Mission Australia and Fergus Ryan from Arthur Andersen – who have previously contributed to the Business and Community Partnerships Roundtable which I convened in March 1998 will provide an important level of continuity.
Brisbane’s Archbishop Peter Hollingworth and the Rev Dr Gordon Moyes of the Wesley Mission will bring a depth of understanding and experience of community needs.
Richard Pratt of the Pratt Foundation and Robert Gerard of Gerard Industries have for many years provided strong leadership in development of philanthropy in Australia.
Marina Darling from the CapoNero Group, Jim Kennedy of the Queensland Investment Corporation and Tony Howarth of the Challenge Bank, Western Australia will provide a business and financial perspective.
I am also pleased to announce the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer, Ms Geraldine Skinner, to support the Partnership. From the well-known Clean-up Australia campaign, Ms Skinner brings a wealth of experience to the position, having worked in government, education, and with both community and corporate organisations.
The development of a new social coalition is a source of great satisfaction to me, and without doubt, will have an important impact on the future of our communities.
In consultation with the members of this new body, I will schedule an early first meeting, where work can begin to take this exciting initiative forward. I look forward to working with them to build new Partnerships and a stronger philanthropic culture in Australia.
19 August 1999
(ATTACHMENT)
MEMBERSHIP
Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership
Mr David Gonski
Ms Elizabeth Cham
Rev Dr Gordon Moyes AM
The Most Reverend Peter Hollingworth AO OBE
Mr Tony Howarth
Mr Jim Kennedy AO
Mr Robert Gerard AO
Mr Fergus Ryan
Mr Richard Pratt AO
Mr Patrick McClure
Ms Marina Darling