Author: dani

How important is philanthropy in funding the future? Transformational giving has accelerated in Australia over the last decade, and the Commonwealth Government has set ambitious targets to double it by 2030.

In this instalment of Griffith University’s conversation series, A Better Future for All, distinguished journalist and author Kerry O’Brien talks with Professor Kristy Muir, CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, about the role of philanthropy in realising important social outcomes.

Philanthropic partnerships are proving pivotal in improving social outcomes for people across Australia, working across a range of issue areas, from education to justice and safety. Philanthropy can step in and provide innovation capital and can bring together other key partners to accelerate change. So how do they go about it? How do they know they’re making a difference?

As the chief executive of one of Australia’s largest charitable foundations, and a professor of social policy, Kristy is uniquely placed to unravel the mysteries of the philanthropic sector. This conversation is one that deepens our understanding of the role of philanthropy and how private generosity and public spending are interwoven.

Professor Kristy Muir

Kristy Muir is the Chief Executive Officer of the Paul Ramsay Foundation. She is a Professor of Social Policy in the Business School at UNSW Sydney, and Chair of Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy Australasia. For almost three decades, she has worked with for-purpose organisations that enable children, families and communities to thrive. She is driven to better understand and find solutions to complex social problems and measure our impact when it comes to making a difference.

Kristy has undertaken more than 100 social impact projects in partnership with governments, not-for-profit organisations, corporations, academics and philanthropists. Each of these projects has been conducted alongside families and communities, and spanned housing, education, employment, social participation, disability, mental health, financial resilience, wellbeing and the social purpose sectors. She has published widely and teaches the AGSM Governance for Social Impact course for non-executive directors and the Social Impact Leadership Australia program.

Kristy was CEO of the Centre for Social Impact (2017–21), served as an elected academic member of the University of New South Wales’ Council (2016–2021) and was a Non-Executive Director of the Community Council of Australia. She has a PhD in social history and is a graduate of the Australia Institute of Company Directors .

Faced with deteriorating relationships in the Pacific and increasing tension with our biggest trading partner, China, Penny Wong has spent her first year as Foreign Minister travelling at whirlwind pace, mending fences and strengthening new alliances.

Post-World War II, Australia’s relationship with its strongest ally, the United States, has never been more intertwined, and its relationship with modern China more fractious.

This at a time when Europe is deeply unsettled around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the old threat of nuclear war is back in play. At the same time the existential threat of climate change is closing in on a global tipping point.

Join Senator Wong as she reflects on her first remarkable year in the job with journalist and author Kerry O’Brien in this instalment of Griffith University’s conversation series, A Better Future for All. 

Senator the Honourable Penny Wong

Penny Wong is Australia’s Foreign Minister and Government leader in the Senate, and has been in the parliament for 21 years.

She has previously served as Minister for Climate Change and Water in the Rudd Government, representing Australia in critical international climate negotiations and led major reforms to expand renewable energy and improve rural and urban water security.

Senator Wong was appointed Minister for Finance in the Gillard Government in 2010, helping deliver three Budgets in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis
and driving policy to increase the appointment of women to senior roles in government agencies.

She was born in Malaysia, moving to Australia at the age of eight, and prior to her political career, worked as a barrister and in trade unions where she often represented migrant women facing precarious working conditions.

On the election of the Albanese Government last year, Senator Wong was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs at a time of enormous global challenges, after holding the portfolio in opposition for the previous six years.