Linda White
Tuesday, 15 December 2020

David Epstein appointed Executive Director of The Chifley Research Centre.

The Chifley Research Centre (CRC), the official think tank of the Australian Labor Party, today announced the appointment of David Epstein as its new Executive Director.

Confirming the appointment, CRC Chair Linda White said: “David Epstein comes to the role bringing a unique combination of experience in government, public affairs, business and community organisations, as a leader and a communicator”. 

“Educated at The ANU and Wharton (UPenn), he is a  four-decade member of the ALP. In addition to time as Chief of Staff to Federal Labor Leaders, Kim Beazley and Kevin Rudd, David Epstein has served as a Private Secretary to two Federal Cabinet ministers, then as Director of the Ministerial Media Group, during the Hawke and Keating Governments”.

“David has worked in politics and government, regulatory and public affairs, corporate strategy and communications, in Australia and internationally. He has been a senior executive with three of Australia’s largest companies, a consultant to others, and an office-bearer of significant think tanks and cultural institutions”. 

“We look forward to working with David to develop the Chifley Research Centre further, continuing our policy development work with the ALP and the labor movement, as well as expanding the Centre’s links with the wider community”. 

David said his immediate priority would be the Chifley Research Centre’s networks and stakeholders, then commencing work on policy development, community engagement and the Centre’s role as a custodian of ALP history.

“Joining the Chifley Research Centre is an honour. It’s an opportunity to work with valuable community institution and further progressive public policy for the benefit of Australia and Australians,” David explained.

”The past year has shown all of us that the notion ‘…there is no such thing as society…’ is wrong-headed. Community responses to crises like last summer’s bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic remind everyone, but the heartless, of the importance of collective endeavour and good government to the greater good. The Chifley Research Centre is founded on such values.

“People want to put faith in governments and communal endeavour again, not just themselves, so it’s vital that institutions such as Chifley Research Centre, maintain a strong voice to support progressive public policy and enlarge social democracy.

“The CRC celebrates a great Prime Minister and a forward-thinking Federal Government. Ben Chifley  taught us that rigorous dedication to progressive public policy and social democratic endeavour, even while managing global calamity, can only benefit Australia’s social and economic well-being when we emerge from crisis”.

About David Epstein

David commenced work as Executive Director this week. A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, David is also Chair of Communications Compliance Limited, an independent compliance monitoring body for the Australian telecommunications industry, and an Adjunct Professor at Deakin Business School, Deakin University. After resuming his business career in 2009, he led group public affairs, regulatory and communications functions at both Qantas Airways and BHP Billiton, then corporate affairs, regulatory and legal functions at Singtel Optus, before re-establishing a consultancy business in late 2017.