Centre for Independent Studies The Centre For Independent Studies

Oppositions hold governments to account, raise issues of public concern, represent aggrieved citizens, propose alternative policies. Having a viable and energetic opposition is an essential for the health of any democracy.

The Art of Opposition is the first detailed published research study of Australian oppositions across all federal and state jurisdictions and with an additional international coverage of the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and European nations.

With senior academic contributors from across Australian and international universities along with practitioners who, like John Howard, have led oppositions, former chiefs of staff of opposition leaders and other senior support staff, The Art of Opposition provides an up-to-date account of what oppositions do and how they do it. Other contributors include David Clune OAM, Rodney Tiffen, Brendan McCaffrie and Rodney Smith.

Scott Prasser is currently a Senior Fellow at CIS. Scott has worked in federal and state governments in senior policy and research positions. He has published and commented widely on state and federal politics and has focused his work on royal commissions and public inquires. His recent publications include Royal Commissions and Public Inquiries in Australia released in 2021 and The Whitlam Era released in 2022.

John Howard OM AC was Prime Minister of Australia from 1996-2007 and Member of the Australian Parliament for Bennelong from 1974-2007.

Andrew Blyth is the John Howard Fellow at CIS. His prior roles include managing the John Howard Prime Ministerial Library and as a senior adviser and chief of staff. Andrew is author of recent CIS research paper; From ANZUS to AUKUS: Howard’s Legacy in Shaping Australia’s Defence Strategy.

Tom Switzer is the Executive Director at the Centre for Independent Studies, and formerly hosted Between the Lines on the ABC’s Radio National. He is also a regular contributor to The Australian and the Australian Financial Review.

Watch the podcast here: https://youtu.be/lYls1XLQG7s

#auspol #freemarket #economics

Robert Carling is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies. Robert is researching and writing about fiscal policy, taxation and federalism. Prior to joining the CIS, Robert was Executive Director, Economic and Fiscal at the New South Wales Treasury from 1998 to 2006.

Previous positions have been with Commonwealth Treasury, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. He holds academic qualifications in economics and finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Georgetown University and the University of Queensland.

Are you looking for sound, thought-provoking conversations on current affairs, politics, and culture from a Classical Liberal perspective? If yes, you are in the right place. Liberalism in Question engages some of our society’s most prominent researchers, political figures, and free speech advocates --finding out their views on the state of Classical Liberalism.

The Australian Government wants to transition our electricity system to net zero carbon emissions by relying on wind and solar power – excluding alternatives such as small nuclear reactors. Its justification for this switch rests on the claim that a renewables-dominated system is environmentally beneficial and economically superior to using fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

But its premise is based on a flawed argument which has left out key elements which portray a different picture.

Dive in with Karla Pincott and Aidan Morrison, the Director of Energy Research, to learn what you need to know about the six fundamental flaws underpinning the energy transition


Hosted by Karla Pincott, What You Need to Know About is the podcast that covers exactly that. Hear from CIS experts on the key points in their research, providing you with concise and insightful overviews of complex topics. In each episode, Karla breaks down intricate policy issues, economic trends, social challenges, and more, delivering the essential information you need to stay informed in today’s fast-paced world.


Join us as we cut through the noise and dive straight into the heart of matters that shape our society. Whether you’re a policy enthusiast, a curious mind, or just someone looking to grasp the essentials without getting lost in the details, What You Need to Know About is your go-to source for bite-sized yet comprehensive insights.

#auspol #nuclear #energytransition

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/pNLmQbvdnJc

Matthew Ridley is a British science writer, journalist and businessman. He is known for his writings on science, the environment, and economics, and has been a regular contributor to The Times newspaper. Ridley was chairman of the UK bank Northern Rock from 2004 to 2007. Ridley is a libertarian, and a staunch supporter of Brexit. He inherited the viscountcy in February 2012 and was a Conservative hereditary peer from February 2013, with an elected seat in the House of Lords, until his retirement in December 2021.

How to Build Low-Cost Nuclear: Lessons from the world by Aidan Morrision. First published on April 11, 2024.

For all references and graphs, please download the publication at the centre for independent studies website where you can also become a member of CIS. As this paper is graph and data-heavy, it’s a good idea to have the paper open as you listen along. The paper can be downloaded from here: 

https://www.cis.org.au/publication/how-to-build-low-cost-nuclear-lessons-from-the-world/

In this episode, we delve into the concerning decline of proficiency in mathematics among Australian students over the past two decades. Join host Glenn Fahey, along with special guests Sarah Powell and Toni Hatten-Roberts, as they unravel the complexities behind this trend.

Sarah Powell is Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Texas, Austin. She is a leading advocate within the US Science of Math movement, advancing evidence-informed teaching practice. She is co-author of the CIS publications: Myths that interfere with mathematics teaching and Evidence-based teaching in maths.

Toni Hatten-Roberts is an award winning educator and is the director of COGlearn and Executive Director of Education at Mastery Schools Australia. She is also the author of the CIS publication “The Need For Speed: why fluency counts for maths learning.”

Glenn Fahey is Director of Education at the Centre for Independent Studies. He is the author of several CIS publications, including: Starting off on the wrong foot: How to improve Initial Teacher Education in Australia and Failing to teach the teacher: An analysis of mathematics Initial Teacher Education. He provides regular commentary across major newspapers across Australia.