Centre for Independent Studies
 | |
| Other name | CIS |
|---|---|
| Founder(s) | Greg Lindsay[1] |
| Established | 1976[1] |
| Executive Director | Tom Switzer[2][3] |
| Address | 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney City |
| Location | , , Australia |
| Website | www |
| This article is part of a series on |
| Liberalism in Australia |
|---|
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The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is an Australian libertarian and classical liberal think tank founded in 1976 by Greg Lindsay.[4] The CIS specialises in public policy research and publishes material in areas such as economics, education, culture and foreign policy. Although there are no explicit ties between the CIS and the centre-right Liberal Party, the CIS is politically aligned with the Liberal Party, praising Liberal Party founder Robert Menzies,[5] hosting various Liberal Party politicians and holding very critical views of the Labor Party.[6][7]
The CIS is funded solely by donations, membership subscriptions, and book and event sales from individuals, companies and charitable trusts. It does not accept government funding.[8] All research decisions are made by the research team and not by the donors.
Philosophy
The CIS describes itself as a "classical liberal think tank."[9]
The CIS measures its performance by monitoring and analysing the output of research papers, events, presentations, opinion pieces and media mentions, changes in the policy environment, website page views and financial support.
CIS is affiliated with the United States-based Atlas Network, which advocates free market economic policies across the world.[10]
Research programs
The CIS has research programs on:[11]
- Education
- Economic policy (tax policy, infrastructure, workplace reform, government spending)
- Culture, prosperity and civil society
- Indigenous affairs
- China and free societies
Most policy research focuses upon the role of the free market in an open society, and how voluntary processes could be used to provide many of the goods and services normally supplied by the compulsory methods of government. Individual liberty and choice, including freedom of association, religion, speech and the right to property are also common themes.
A report dated 2 November 2016 on Australia’s health system by CIS stated “government restrictions, regulations, and other barriers to entry within the health care and medical insurance industries cripple [competition]” and proposed setting up of “Health Innovation Communities”.[12][13]
A June 2018 CIS report found that the overwhelming majority of Australian “millennials” (defined as those born between 1980 and 1996) have a favourable view of socialism. The report was described as "a worried warning to Australia’s ruling elite of a political radicalisation among young people and the threat that it poses to the capitalist system."[14]
Media
CIS researchers regularly comment in opinion pieces in Australian newspapers,[15] online,[16] on radio[17] and on TV, with content mirrored on their YouTube channel.[18]
The CIS also has a weekly newsletter ideas@thecentre[19] and a weekly livestream interview show On Liberty.[20]
Staff
Tom Switzer has been executive director of CIS since 2018, succeeding founder Greg Lindsay who had held the position for forty-two years. In 2019, Nicholas Moore was appointed chairman of the CIS board, succeeding Peter Mason.[21]
Notable individuals in the research staff include Salvatore Babones,[22] Nyunggai Warren Mundine and Steven Schwartz.[23]
References
- ^ a b "History – The Centre for Independent Studies". cis.org.au.
Founded in 1976 by Greg Lindsay, a young schoolteacher with an interest in classical liberal ideas, CIS was established in a period marked by much social and political discontent. The turmoil and controversy of the Whitlam years had given way to disappointment and stagnation under the Fraser government, yet the notion that governments were the solution to any problem prevailed, particularly in the media.
- ^ "PréCIS – Annual Review" (PDF). cis.org.au. 2022.
- ^ "Tom Switzer – The Centre for Independent Studies". cis.org.au. 8 August 2017.
- ^ "About – The Centre for Independent Studies". cis.org.au.
- ^ Prasser, Scott (28 May 2021). "What would Menzies think of today's Liberal Party?". The Canberra Times.
- ^ Cowan, Simon (2 July 2022). "Can Labor and Anthony Albanese move past the blame game and govern Australia?". The Canberra Times.
- ^ Switzer, Tom (11 April 2023). "Australia's Labor Dark Ages will end in a Liberal victory". The Spectator Australia. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Support CIS". Archived from the original on 16 September 2010.
- ^ "Why I work for a classical liberal think tank". The Centre for Independent Studies. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- ^ Atlas Network, 12 June 2017, Greg Lindsay of Australia's The Center for Independent Studies Passing the Torch
- ^ "Research – The Centre for Independent Studies". www.cis.org.au.
- ^ "Medi-Vation: 'Health Innovation Communities' for Medicare Payment and Service Reform" (PDF).
- ^ "The Latest". Atlas Network.
- ^ Report finds majority of Australian youth favour socialism, by Oscar Grenfell, 25 June 2018
- ^ "CIS Opinion Pieces". Archived from the original on 15 September 2012.
- ^ "CIS media information". Archived from the original on 19 August 2012.
- ^ "CIS Audio". Archived from the original on 29 July 2012.
- ^ "CISAus YouTube page" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Ideas@TheCentre". Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
- ^ "On Liberty | Season 2 – The Centre for Independent Studies". www.cis.org.au. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- ^ "Board of Directors". The Centre for Independent Studies. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ "Salvatore Babones". The Centre for Independent Studies. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ "Research Scholars". The Centre for Independent Studies. Retrieved 8 January 2023.