Australian Adam Smith Club
The Australian Adam Smith Club is a discussion group, founded in 1983 "to promote and explore the further understanding of the principles and works of Adam Smith and like minded thinkers".[1] It meets five or six times a year.
Contents
Objectives
The club states that "members of the club take an uncompromising stand in the support of:
- private property
- freedom of contract
- freedom from coercion by others
- freedom of trade and enterprise in the market, both domestically and internationally
- freedom of the individual within the framework of minimal government activity
- freedom of movement of capital and labour throughout the world".[1]
History
The group was founded by a group of Libertarian and neo-liberal thinkers in 1983.[2]. The Centre for Independent Studies was encouraging discussion groups in each state - by 1985 the only survivor was the Melbourne branch which became independent.
The Australian Adam Smith Club primarily operates as a networking point for the neo-liberal and libertarian supporters with an emphasis on organising events for speakers. It has hosted speakers with links to organizations such as the Institute of Public Affairs, the HR Nicholls Society, the Centre for Independent Studies, some from the right-wing faction of the Liberal Party and very rarely a Labor Party figure. Speakers span those who are climate change skeptics, promoter of deregulation and pro-business policies.
Speakers
Speakers at Adam Smith Club events have included:
- Prof Lachlan Chipman
- Prof Geoffrey Blainey
- Dame Leonie Kramer
- Frank Penhalluriack
- John Stone - former Secretary of the Treasury
- Ray Evans - founder of HR Nicholls Society
- Sophie Mirabella
- Sen Mitch Fifield
- Bob Day
- Jim Carlton - former Liberal MP, then Director of the Australian Red Cross
- Richard Epstein - University of Chicago Law School
- EG West
- B.A Santamaria - the now deceased founder of the National Civic Council
- Hugh Morgan - former CEO of Western Mining Corporation Ltd
- Imre Salusinszky - journalist at News Corporation
Personnel
The current Committee as described in the Club Prospectus
- Michael Warby - formerly of the IPA
- Mannie Gross
- Dr Michael James - formerly editor of 'Policy' at the CIS
- David Sharp
- Regina Bron
- Tim Warner - of the Access Card No Way Campaign
- Tom Bostock
- Jeff Babb
Contact Information
PO Box 950,
Hawthorn 3122
Website: http://www.adamsmithclub.org
Articles and Resources
Related SourceWatch Articles
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Australian Adam Smith Club (Melbourne), "Membership Renewal for 2009", accessed December 2008.
- ↑ David Sharp, "The 21st Century - Why Adam Smith?", Founders Address at 20th Anniversary Dinner, November 18, 2003. (Pdf)
