Visit by Canadian Public Policy Expert

Media release from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Dr
David Zussman
President,
Public Policy Forum, Ottawa

The President of Canada's Public Policy Forum, Dr David Zussman, will visit Australia from 7 -21 February 2001 under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Special Visits Program.

The Public Policy Forum is a non-partisan organisation committed to bridging the gap between government, business, labour and the voluntary sector. Dr Zussman is also Professor of Public Policy and Management at the University of Ottawa and is a recognised international authority on public service management and public policy.

A prominent figure in the Canadian political establishment, Dr Zussman helped organise the transition for Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien following the Canadian general elections in November 2000.

Australia and Canada have a close, longstanding and wide-ranging bilateral relationship. The two countries also cooperate closely on many issues in international forums including the UN and its agencies, APEC, the WTO and the Cairns Group.
In Australia, Dr Zussman is interested in a range of public policy issues where the two countries frequently bench mark against each other. His special interests include Australia's approach to Government-business relations, the development of the "new economy", the role of the public sector, citizen engagement and parliamentary reform.

During his visit, he will deliver the Senate Occasional Lecture in Parliament House, take part in a series of \seminars with senior public servants, academics and practitioners of public policy development and address the Australian Institute of International Affairs in Sydney.

Dr Zussman is the author and co-author of a number of publications including "Alternative Service Delivery: Sharing Governance in Canada" and "The Vertical Solitude: Managing in the Public Sector".

Contact: Bill Nelson (02) 6261 2243/0410 527 460

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