The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is a libertarian think tank founded in April 1976 by Executive Director Greg Lindsay. The CIS is one of six think tanks recognised by the National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA) in Tokyo, Japan. In 2005, it also opened offices in New Zealand.
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The Centre favours a "free enterprise economy and a free society under limited government where individuals can prosper and fully develop their talents".[1] Many CIS scholars, such as Andrew Norton, are self-described classical liberals. As classical liberalism is often critical of government intervention in the economy and personal life, the Centre does not accept government funding out of principle. Instead, the CIS is funded by private sector donations from individuals, companies and charitable trusts.[2]
CIS scholars are often in conflict with other think tanks and welfare bodies, particularly those it considers centrist and left-wing, such as the Per Capita, The Australia Institute, the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, The Smith Family and the Australian Council of Social Service.
The CIS has research programmes on:
Most policy research focuses upon the role of the free market in an open society, and how voluntary processes could be used to provide many of the goods and services normally supplied by the compulsory methods of government. Individual liberty and choice, including freedom of association, religion, speech and the right to property, are also common themes.