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The Sir Bertram Stevens Institute

Building a grassroots conservative movement to restore Australia.

An Australian conservative public policy institute — researching the reforms that will restore the country, identifying and training the people who will argue for them, and campaigning to win.

The Hon. Sir Bertram Stevens KCMG
1889–1973

About the Institute

What the Institute is, and what it does.

The Sir Bertram Stevens Institute is an Australian conservative public policy institute. We research and argue for the reforms that will restore the country, we identify and train the people who will carry that argument, and we campaign publicly for the ideas that matter.

Policy work alone is not enough. Ideas prevail only when there are capable people prepared to advance them and a movement organised behind them. The Institute is built to supply all three — and to rebuild conviction in Australian public life by forming, equipping, and mobilising people who are prepared to stand for something and act.

Three functions, one institute

01Policy & research

We do the serious policy work.

Research papers, parliamentary submissions, and commentary that test ideas rigorously and give conservative representatives the arguments and evidence they need to prosecute a case.

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02Leadership development

We find and train the next generation.

We identify conservatives of courage and conviction and equip them to act — not only those who may one day seek office, but the campaigners, organisers, fundraisers, and communicators who win the argument long before an election is called.

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03Campaigns & advocacy

We take the agenda to the country.

The Institute campaigns for the reforms Australia needs — from No to Net Zero to Immigration Reform Now — mobilising supporters and challenging the complacency that has hollowed out conservative leadership.

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Why we bear his name

The Hon. Sir Bertram Stevens KCMG

1889 – 1973

Sir Bertram Stevens held the line when New South Wales faced economic collapse and constitutional disorder.

He rose through the public service on merit and resigned as the State’s senior Treasury official rather than accept the curtailment of his authority under Jack Lang. In 1932, with unemployment near 32 per cent and Lang’s government in open conflict with Commonwealth law, Stevens became Premier, went to the people and won a decisive mandate.

He answered Lang’s campaign to abolish the Legislative Council by securing referendum approval for its reform and preservation as a house of review. He then governed for seven years through the Depression, maintaining relief and social services while promoting private enterprise, development and competent administration.

SBSI bears his name because he showed what conviction in public life requires: courage under pressure, respect for the law, and the competence to govern when the State is in crisis.

Our parliamentary patrons

Parliament of New South Wales

Legislative Assembly Patron

Member for Lane Cove

Shadow Minister for Police & Counter-terrorism

Shadow Minister for Corrections

The Hon. Anthony Roberts MP

Elected in March 2003, Mr Roberts has represented Lane Cove for more than two decades. Over that time, he has built a reputation as a serious legislator and a steadfast conservative voice in New South Wales public life.

Throughout his parliamentary career, Mr Roberts has been entrusted with a succession of senior ministerial portfolios, including Minister for Homes, Minister for Planning, Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections, Minister for Housing, Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy, Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Fair Trading, and Special Minister of State.

He also served for an extended period as Leader of the House, managing the Government’s legislative program across multiple parliaments.

Before entering state politics, Mr Roberts served his local community with distinction in local government as Deputy Mayor of Lane Cove from 1998 to 1999, Mayor from 1999 to 2000, and again as Mayor from 2001 to 2002.

Member of the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division) since 1992 · Former Captain, Australian Army Reserve

Legislative Council Patron

Member, NSW Legislative Council since 2023

Deputy Chair, Portfolio Committee No. 3 — Education

The Hon. Rachel Merton MLC

The Hon. Rachel Merton has served in the NSW Legislative Council since March 2023 and quickly established herself as a clear, principled conservative voice in the Upper House. In her maiden speech she set out a worldview grounded in liberal democracy, constitutional monarchy, faith, and individual liberty.

Within the Parliament, Ms Merton serves as Deputy Chair of Portfolio Committee No. 3 – Education and is a member of the Standing Committee on Social Issues and the Committee on the Ombudsman, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the Crime Commission. She also sits on the Select Committee on Access Restrictions to Public Lands and Waterways and is a Substitute Member of Portfolio Committee No. 1 – Premier and Finance.

Before entering Parliament, Ms Merton held senior roles in government and professional services. She served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services from 2022 to 2023 and was previously a Board Member of the Australian Classification Board between 2019 and 2022. Her career also included senior government relations and risk management roles at KPMG Australia and earlier service in Commonwealth ministerial offices during the Howard Government.

Member of the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division) since 1991 · Active in the party’s organisational life for more than three decades

Explore further

Read our mission.

For the Institute’s guiding purpose, principles, and long-range intent, continue to our mission page.

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Stand with SBSI

If you want to restore Australia, help us fight for it.

Serious campaigns need members, money, and public backing. Add your name, join the Institute, or fund the work that turns conviction into pressure.

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