Australia's Misinformation Inquiry: Tracing Neoliberal Influence and Think Tank Networks
A federal parliamentary inquiry in Australia is investigating the financing, production, and dissemination of misinformation and disinformation related to climate change and energy. This inquiry specifically examines connections between Australian organizations and international influence networks, with a particular focus on the impact of "free-market" think tanks on public policy and debate.
The Roots of Neoliberalism and the "Battle for Ideas"
The concept of neoliberalism emerged in the 1930s, born from a need to rebuild traditional liberalism in the wake of events such as World War I, the 1929 Wall Street Crash, and the Great Depression.
From Colloquium to Society: Rebuilding Liberalism
A pivotal moment occurred at the 1938 Walter Lippmann Colloquium, where prominent figures like Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises discussed strategies for countering economic planning. This group sought to renew liberal doctrine, ultimately naming their project "neo-liberalism."
In 1947, Hayek organized the Mont Pelerin Society, bringing together economists and philosophers. They shared concerns about post-World War II government intervention in markets and the growing influence of "Keynesian" policies. Their objective was to redefine the state's functions, aiming to limit government interference with market systems.
They aimed to win the "battle for ideas."
Shaping Public Opinion: The Intellectuals' Strategy
Friedrich Hayek's 1949 article, "The Intellectuals and Socialism," laid out a strategy for his followers to influence public opinion. The target audience was "intellectuals"—journalists, academics, and commentators—who play a crucial role in shaping public discourse. Later, Milton Friedman underscored the significant, long-term effort required to shift public opinion, observing that:
"policy changes often follow shifts in underlying philosophical currents."
Think Tanks: Shaping Policy and the Overton Window
Think tanks are organizations specifically designed to influence public policy debates and shape the "climate of opinion." They achieve this through various means, including producing publications, hosting events, and engaging with media to repeatedly circulate their ideas. These organizations frequently attempt to manipulate the "Overton window," a concept that describes the range of politically acceptable ideas.
By consistently promoting certain concepts, think tanks aim to shift societal values and norms, making previously radical ideas mainstream.
The Institute of Economic Affairs and Thatcher's Rise
Antony Fisher, inspired by Hayek's work, founded the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in the UK in 1955. The IEA was instrumental in promoting free-market ideas, profoundly influencing both public discourse and policymakers, including Margaret Thatcher. She credited the IEA with creating an atmosphere conducive to her political victory in 1979.
The Global Reach: Atlas Network's Expansion
Fisher's success with the IEA led him to become a "think-tank entrepreneur." In 1981, he established the Atlas Economic Research Foundation (now known as Atlas Network) to facilitate the global proliferation of free-market think tanks. The Atlas Network currently partners with over 500 such organizations worldwide, including 10 in Australia and New Zealand.
Neoliberalism's Footprint in Australia
Neoliberal ideas began to gain traction in Australia during the 1970s. This period was marked by economic crises, including the 1973 oil crisis and high rates of inflation and unemployment, often referred to as stagflation. This challenging economic environment presented an opportune moment for the adoption of "free-market" policies, echoing Milton Friedman's observation:
"Only a crisis—actual or perceived—produces real change... the actions that are taken depend on the ideas that are lying around."
Key Australian Players and Global Links
Well-known Australians became members of the Mont Pelerin Society, and local think tanks partnered with the Atlas Network. Australian organizations such as the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) and the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) have actively campaigned on issues like carbon pricing and even intellectual property rights for tobacco companies.
In the US, the Heritage Foundation, another prominent free-market think tank, played a key role in shaping Ronald Reagan's administration. It continues to influence policy, notably through Project 2025 for Donald Trump's potential 2024 administration. These think tanks are also actively involved in questioning climate science.
Federal Inquiry Targets Misinformation Networks
Organizations such as Advance (formerly Advance Australia) and CPAC Australia, although not formally think tanks or Atlas Network partners, also work to influence Australia's political debate from a free-market perspective. Advance campaigned against the Voice to Parliament and currently advocates against net zero emissions targets. CPAC Australia hosts annual conferences for conservative activists.
Submissions Highlight Concerns and Strategies
The Australian Senate committee on information integrity is currently investigating the role of these networks in disseminating climate change and energy misinformation. Submissions to the inquiry have highlighted the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation, with concerns raised about the coordinated use of bots and trolls.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) have emphasized the challenges this issue poses to national security and human rights principles. Academics like Julia Steinberger noted that traditional media can be vulnerable to uncritically broadcasting climate disinformation from affiliates of the Mont Pelerin Society or Atlas Network.
The CIS, in its submission, affirmed its connection to Atlas Network is based on shared classical liberal ideas but denied receiving funding or direction on research content. The IPA questioned the political motivations behind investigating misinformation. Advance detailed its successful social media campaign strategy during the Voice referendum, including running contradictory messages for different audiences.
The Strategic Shift in Terminology
By the 1970s, many thinkers associated with the neoliberal movement began to identify as "classical liberals" or "libertarians." They asserted that their principles were not new but a renewal of an older tradition. They critiqued figures like John Maynard Keynes, arguing that his proposals for government intervention corrupted the term "liberal."
This shift in terminology also served to obscure the novel aspects of their movement. This included a "roll-back" of the post-war welfare state and a "roll-out" of new state functions designed to reinforce free markets through deregulation, privatization, and public asset-stripping. This was complemented by the creation of a global network of think tanks dedicated to marketing these ideas.