Unmasking Australia's Think Tanks: The Real Power Behind the Policies

There’s a saying often attributed to Winston Churchill: History is written by the victors. But let’s be real, when have you ever seen a winner sitting down at a library writing history? Never. History is written by the biggest nerds, while the victors are busy throwing parties. Despite this, people still believe the quote, and a lot of money and time is spent trying to win and write history simultaneously. Enter think tanks, the nerds hired to do the job no one else wants to do. This article will give you a rundown of the main think tanks operating in Australia and their influence on public policy.

Key Takeaways

• Think tanks are ideologically aligned institutions that influence public policy through research and reports.
• They are often funded by big businesses, wealthy individuals, or government departments.
• Their influence can shape media narratives and political decisions.

Institute of Public Affairs (IPA)

The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) was founded in the 1940s by big business types, including the founder of Coles. It’s heavily aligned with the Liberal Party and big business. Imagine anything unappealing, and chances are the IPA advocates for it. From removing regulations designed to prevent chemical runoff into the Great Barrier Reef to opposing laws against industrial manslaughter, the IPA is a think tank primarily run by recent Arts and Law graduates who are too mediocre to do something genuinely impressive on their own.

Key Points:

• Founded by big business in the 1940s.
• Heavily aligned with the Liberal Party.
• Advocates for removing regulations and opposing worker protections.

The Australia Institute

The Australia Institute is essentially the Bizarro World IPA, replacing being evil with being a pansy. Founded by academic and Greens member Clive Hamilton in the 1990s, it’s very Greens-adjacent. They hold events and forums with politicians from most political parties, including the Teals, Greens, Labor, and Coalition MPs. Their research often shows the whole picture, unlike the IPA, which cherry-picks data.

Key Points:

• Founded by Clive Hamilton in the 1990s.
• Greens-adjacent and holds events with various political parties.
• Provides comprehensive research, often funded by trusts and wealthy individuals.

The Green Institute

The Green Institute is the official think tank of the Greens Party. It’s what you get if you take out all the intellectual rigor and talent from the Australia Institute and replace it with a bunch of hippies. Their press releases often invite people to watch movies with them, and they sponsor the Serious Danger podcast, which could be a psychiatric research project on the long-term effects of dwindling degrade fame.

Key Points:

• Official think tank of the Greens Party.
• Lacks intellectual rigor compared to other think tanks.
• Sponsors the Serious Danger podcast.

Chifley Research Center

The Chifley Research Center is the official think tank of the Labor Party, named after Australia’s train driver Prime Minister Ben Chifley. It’s basically the Friendlyjordies of think tanks. They get handed Labor policy, glance at it, and say, Yeah, good to me.

Key Points:

• Official think tank of the Labor Party.
• Named after Prime Minister Ben Chifley.
• Reviews and supports Labor policies.

Menzies Research Center

The Menzies Research Center is the official think tank of the Liberal Party. It’s basically the IPA without the guts to say what we’re all thinking: Legalize murdering workers earning under $70,000 a year.

Key Points:

• Official think tank of the Liberal Party.
• Similar to the IPA but less outspoken.

HR Nicholls Society

The HR Nicholls Society is like the IPA but with even more guts. They have a particular fixation on unions and are back with a vengeance to campaign against Tony Burke’s industrial relations reform.

Key Points:

• Similar to the IPA but more extreme.
• Focuses on anti-union campaigns.

The Lowy Institute

The Lowy Institute is like if Hillary Clinton was an Australian think tank. Founded by Sir Frank Lowy, the billionaire founder of Westfield, it represents Western market consensus and offers nothing revelatory or of great value.

Key Points:

• Founded by Sir Frank Lowy.
• Represents Western market consensus.
• Funded by multiple Australian government departments and corporations.

Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)

Founded by the Howard government and funded by the military-industrial complex, ASPI is yet to see a war they don’t want Australia involved in. They are compromised by domestic and foreign political pressures and corporate interests.

Key Points:

• Founded by the Howard government.
• Funded by the military-industrial complex.
• Compromised by political and corporate interests.

Asia Society Policy Institute

The Asia Society Policy Institute is the Rain Man of think tanks, as opposed to ASPI, which is the Travis Bickle. Founded in the 1950s by Nelson Rockefeller and recently run by Kevin Rudd, it doesn’t want a war between China and the US.

Key Points:

• Founded by Nelson Rockefeller in the 1950s.
• Recently run by Kevin Rudd.
• Opposes war between China and the US.

In conclusion, think tanks play a significant role in shaping public policy and media narratives in Australia. While some are aligned with big business and conservative politics, others lean towards progressive ideals. Understanding their influence can help you navigate the complex landscape of Australian politics and media.