The former secretary of the Prime Minister's Department and the Treasury made the comments as he was announced the new chair of a foundation providing scholarships for public servants researching policy matters of national significance.

He will replace Ken Henry, another former Treasury secretary, in leading the board of the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation at the Australian National University. Dr Parkinson said Australia more than ever needed public policy informed by the best thinking and latest research.

"If we get it right, public policy has the potential to benefit the lives of all Australians. If we get it wrong, the costs are huge and long lasting," he said.

"We also need to make sure our public servants are equipped with the latest knowledge to tackle some of the most complex challenges our nation currently faces - whether that be international security, inequality, pandemics, climate change, reconciliation or racism."

The foundation has provided 56 postgraduate scholarships to future leaders in the public service from 20 agencies since it was established in 1998. Dr Henry, who put forward the initiative, has served as chair since 2013.

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