John Menadue AO was the founding chair of the organisation.

He had served as Secretary of Prime Minister and Cabinet for prime ministers Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, among other roles.

[2] Its programs cover such topics as climate change, energy transition, child detention, refugee settlement with regard to the economy, and early childhood education.

[6] The research, recommendations and views of the CPD are frequently cited in the media.

[6][7][8][9][10] The following are former research fellows who resigned in 2015 over concerns that CPD was moving to a more centre-right position.