The Australia Institute is an Australian socialist think tank conducting public policy research, funded by grants from philanthropic trusts, memberships and commissioned research. The Institute begun in 1994 to construct and commission research and policy analysis on public debates and political and social issues and trends. The Institute seeks government, business or union grants to conduct research and analysis. The Institute is located on the campus of Australian National University in Canberra.
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Philosophy
The Institute is considered a left leaning socialist think tank with its general direction described as: "Private markets, while effective at encouraging efficiency in many circumstances, frequently fail to reflect adequately the ethical, social and environmental priorities of the community ... Market outcomes are not value free and the Institute reasserts the place of ethics in making public and private decisions".[1]
Speech
The Kevin Rudd government is to adopt[2] the Australia Institute's proposal[3] of mandatory filtering for "pornography and other "inappropriate" material." They have suggested those who did not want to have their internet connection filtered would have to "contact their internet service provider and "opt out""
Climate change
The Institute is active in promoting climate change 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 supports the view that the Prime Minister and some senior ministers are climate change skeptics, and that the resources sector drives government energy policy.[4][5] The Institute has been active in promoting renewable energy development, and other mitigation measures, though it has campaigned strongly against developing a nuclear industry in Australia.[6]
The directors
- Meredith Edwards (academic), Acting Chair
- Clive Hamilton, Executive Director, The Australia Institute
- Sharan Burrow, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions
- Molly Harriss Olson, Director, EcoFutures Limited and Convenor.
- Tony McMichael, Director, National Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, ANU.
- Barbara Pocock, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide
- Hugh Saddler, Managing Director, Energy Strategies Limited
- Mark Wootton, Director, Poola Foundation
