About Left Right

Who we are

OUR VISION

Our vision is for a society that seeks and embraces the ideas of young people.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to involve young people in public policy.

HOW WE ACHIEVE OUR MISSION

We achieve our mission through our policy, platform and education (PPE):

• Policy: Developing public policy that is innovative, consultative and focuses on the long term;
• Platform: Providing a platform for ideas that allows the direct involvement of young people in public policy; and
• Education: Creating personal development and educational opportunities for young people in a public policy setting.

What we do

LEFT RIGHT THINK-TANK AT A GLANCE

• Australia’s think-tank of young people;
• Develops public policy, provides a platform for ideas and educates young people.
• Develops high-impact policy by young people focused on the long term across the entire policy spectrum, not just on youth related issues
• Five state teams in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth.
• National Office in Melbourne, Victoria.
• Over 60 part-time young Australian volunteers.
• Is independent, non-partisan and non-profit.
• Is represented on the Australian Youth Forum Steering Committee.
• Founded in March 2008 by Richard Newnham and Thom Woodroofe.

POLICY, PLATFORM & EDUCATION

We develop public policy by:

• Engaging with as many young people as possible;
• Focussing on the long term; and
• Lobbying innovative solutions.

We create a platform by:

• Providing an online platform;
• Linking young people and the media; and
• Promoting the work of our members.

We educate young people through our:

• Bi-Annual Fellowship Program;
• Annual Energy Future Conference;
• Annual National Conference;
• Policy Makers’ Dinners;
• High profile speaker events; and
• Partnerships with schools.

Our Values

Our Values define what we stand for and how we do things. They bind us closer as a national organisation and help us to work together.

WE ARE AMBITIOUS

We are pioneers inspiring lasting change in our society.

WE ARE ENERGETIC

We are relentlessly committed and persistent.

WE ARE INNOVATIVE

We think differently to generate unique ideas.

WE ARE PROFESSIONAL

We consistently strive to uphold the highest professional standards in everything we do.

WE ARE YOUNG

We are 15–24 years old. We recognise the value in our demographic.

WE ARE INDEPENDENT AND NON-PARTISAN

We are independent of influence and not affiliated with any political organisation

Our History

Australia’s first independent think tank of young minds was launched on Tuesday March 24 2008, with Chaser Boy Charles Firth headlining the event.

Left Right Think-Tank was formed by co-founders Thom Woodroofe and Richard Newnham.

“I wasn’t attract ted to the typical paradigms of left or right, and wanted a way to engage with the decision making processes of the Australian Government” said Thom Woodroofe after the launch.

The launch was held in Federation Square’s BMW Edge Theatre.

Left Right’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Newnham, said he wanted young Australians to be able to comment on issues of broad community concern, not just youth affairs.

The co-founders met while they were Australian Defence Force Cadets. Richard and Thom each spent a year as the most senior cadet for the Army and Air Force Cadets respectively.