Institute of Public Affairs
Encyclopedia : I : IN : INS : Institute of Public Affairs
The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) is a conservative/neoliberal think tank based in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1943 by Charles Kemp, and has had close links to the Liberal Party since its inception. It is funded by corporate donations as well as by its membership. Its current Executive Director is John Roskam.
Ideology
The IPA advocates for neoliberal economic policies such as privatization and deregulation of state-owned enterprises, trade liberalisation and deregulated workplaces (ie: without minimum wages or trade union involvement).In its own words, the Institute believes in "the free market of ideas, the free flow of capital, a limited and efficient government, the rule of law, and representative democracy." [link]
Political links
The Institute is officially independent of any political party, but has been linked to the Liberal Party since the IPA's inception in 1943 (The Liberal Party is Australia's main conservative party). The IPA's Executive Director John Roskam worked on the Liberal Party's 2001 election campaign. He has also run for Liberal Party preselection - and missed out - "several times". [link]Research focus
Since the early 1980s, the Institute has argued for a program of neoliberal economic policies, including:- lower taxation;
- economic deregulation particularly as affecting industrial relations;
- privatisation of government businesses;
- greater transparency in government;
- alleged ideological bias in Australia's national broadcaster - the publicly funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation;
- criticism of the science behind global warming;
- the elimination of existing programs of welfare targeted at Indigenous Australians, with the stated aim of encouraging the transition to work, self-reliance and high incomes.
IPA publications are highly critical of the operations of many non-government organsations (NGO's), particularly in their interaction with governments and with international agencies. The IPA criticises some NGO's as lacking in transperancy. A recent government-commissioned IPA report recommended a 'protocol' for greater transperancy about the nature and extent of these interactions.
Staff
- Mr John Roskam, Executive Director
- Dr Mike Nahan, Senior Fellow
- Dr Alan Moran, Director, Deregulation Unit
- Dr Jennifer Marohasy, Director, Environment Unit
- Hon Dr Gary Johns, Director, Governance Unit (an ex-Hawke Labor minister)
- Mr Jim Hoggett, Senior Fellow
- Mr Don D'Cruz, Senior Fellow
- Mr John Hyde, Emeritus Fellow
- Mr Ken Phillips, Director Workplace Reform Unit
- Mr Chris Berg, Editor, IPA Review
See also
External links
- [Institute of Public Affairs]
- Sourcewatch, [Institute of Public Affairs]
- [IPA in the News: Flaws Remain in Bringing Them Home]
- Media Watch criticises IPA writer Michael Warby - [Media Watch transcript]
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