Ainslie Institute

The Ainslie Institute was an influential policy and political think-tank that operated in Canberra, Australia's capital city, between about 2001 and 2005.

Unlike most think-tanks such as the Australia Institute, the Institute of Public Affairs and others, what distinguished the Ainslie Institute was its multi-ideology membership. Among its ranks of journalists, lobbyists, entrepreneurs and bureaucrats it boasted the complete spectrum of views between the far-right and far-left of the Australian commentariat.

While not specifically an organisation for members of the legal profession, many Institute contributors were called to the Bar. Particular areas of research and analysis undertaken by the Institute included contemporary politics, environmental policy, the impact of the drought, gender relations, anatomy, sporting history and broadcasting.

The significance of AI's behind the scenes contribution to political discourse is only now beginning to be acknowledged by media commentators.

Media mentions

Mornings with Alex Sloan, 666 ABC Canberra 2 July 2007 “ [http://www.abc.net.au/canberra/mornings/] ”

References

Pearse, Guy., High & Dry: John Howard, climate change and the selling of Australia’s Future, Penguin-Viking 2007 pp. 25, 467