The Australia Institute

The Australia Institute

File:TAI with tagline blue.jpg
Abbreviation	TAI
Formation	1994
Type	Public policy think tank
Director	Ben Oquist
Website	tai.org.au

The Australia Institute is an Australian think tank conducting public policy research, funded by grants from philanthropic trusts, memberships and commissioned research.

The institute began in 1994 in order to construct and commission research and policy analysis on public debates and political and social issues and trends. The Institute is based in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.

The current Executive Director is Ben Oquist. The previous Executive Director was Richard Denniss who is currently the chief economist. Denniss's immediate predecessor was Clive Hamilton.

Philosophy

The institute is considered left leaning and describes itself as "the country’s most influential progressive think tank" as well as saying that:

"The Institute is determined to push public debate beyond the simplistic question of whether markets or governments have all the answers to more important questions: When does government need to intervene in the market? When should it stand back? And when regulation is needed, what form should it take?"

Research

The institute's researchers are prominent commentators on public policy issues, including work on climate change and emissions trading, taxation policy, paid parental leave and unemployment. The institute is also known for its work on health, consumer affairs and trade practices.

Climate change

The institute is active in promoting global warming mitigation measures, and has been critical of the Australian federal government's perceived lack of action on climate change. The institute was critical of the Howard Government's decision to refuse to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. It claims that the former Prime Minister and some senior ministers deny the scientific evidence for global warming and that the resources sector drives government energy policy. Leaked minutes of a meeting between the Energy Minister, the Prime Minister and fossil fuel lobbyists provide evidence for these claims.

The Australia Institute has been active in promoting renewable energy development, and other mitigation measures, and it has campaigned strongly against developing a nuclear industry in Australia.

More recently, the institute has provided a critique of the proposed Australian emissions trading scheme (or Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme), based on concerns that the proposed scheme failed to adequately take into account voluntary action.

Media regulation

The Australia Institute was sued by retail department store David Jones for allegedly engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct: David Jones Ltd v The Australia Institute Ltd [2007] FCA 962. David Jones objected to a media release by the Australia Institute entitled "Corporate paedophilia – Sexualising children by advertising and marketing". The press release contained the statements: "It is particularly disturbing that this exploitation of young children appears to be becoming accepted or mainstream. Major retail chains such as David Jones and Myer have jumped on the bandwagon. When family department stores show no conscience on these issues, or are inured to the effects of their behaviour, the situation is very unhealthy." David Jones claimed that this statement contained a number of misleading and deceptive representations - including that "David Jones eroticises children in order to obtain profits". The matter was later settled.

Mandatory internet filter

Electronic Frontiers Australia criticised the Australia Institute for its proposal for mandatory filtering of Internet Access by Internet service providers, which in 2008 become policy of the Federal Government: "The proposed implementation of [this] system... would block innocuous and educational information and infringe Internet users' privacy."

Funding

The Australia Institute is funded by donations from philanthropic trusts and individuals, and commissioned research. It has no formal political or commercial ties. The Institute states that it "is in a position to maintain its independence while advancing a vision for a fair and progressive Australia."

The institute has been largely funded by the Poola Foundation and the Treepot Foundation - philanthropic organisations run by the Kantors, an offshoot of Rupert Murdoch's family

Directors

• Lin Hatfield Dodds, National Director, UnitingCare Australia (Chair)
• Richard Denniss (Executive Director)
• Elizabeth Cham, Former CEO of Philanthropy Australia (96-06) national umbrella body grantmaking trusts and foundations
• Samantha Hardy, Philanthropy Advisor, Callum Hardy Consulting
• David Morawetz, Clinical/Counseling Psychologist, Founder/Director of the Social Justice Fund
• Barbara Pocock, Director, Centre for Work and Life, University of South Australia
• Spencer Zifcak, Allan Myers Professor of Law, ACU and Barrister and Solicitor, Supreme Court of Victoria
• Lee Thomas, Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
• John McKinnon, NGO director, and philanthropist, formerly worked in funds management and international development

Former board members include:

• Sarah Maddison (Chair), Senior Associate Dean, School of Politics and International Relations, University of New South Wales
• Tony McMichael, Professor, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University
• Meredith Edwards, Emeritus Professor, University of Canberra
• Sharan Burrow, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions
• Mark Wootton, Principal and Manager of Jigsaw Farms and Director of the Poola Charitable Foundation
• Hugh Saddler, Managing Director, Energy Strategies Limited
• Geraldine (Ged) Kearney, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions
• Ben Oquist, Executive Director, The Australia Institute

External links

• TAI website