The CIS aims to promote:
* Individual liberty and choice, including freedom of association, religion, speech and the right to property
* An economy based on free markets
* Democratic government under the rule of law
* An autonomous and free civil society

Funding and Independence
CIS is funded by private sector donations-from individuals, companies and charitable trusts-as well as subscriptions and books sales 'Independent' in our name means:
* we are politically non-partisan
* our research is not directed by our supporters

For more information on membership and donations, please visit our membership page.

If you would like to be a corporate supporter of CIS, please click here.

We have a bequest programme for supporters looking to make a long-term contribution to the future of liberty, here.

Research
Since 1976, the CIS has conducted research into economics, social policy, law, government, environment, and foreign affairs. CIS research benefits from academics world wide and its reform recommendations regularly appear in the media and are discussed by academics and politicians. The Social Foundations public policy programme researches social change reforms in five major areas: family, education, community life, welfare and values. The now completed Taking Children Seriously research programme continues to be a valuable resource into the well-being of children and the importance of family in our society. Liberalising Learning presents positive reform ideas for our higher education system and the newly launched Economic Freedom Watch programme monitors how key institutions shape economic freedom in Australia. Foreign policy research extends to the Pacific, Asia and the US.

Lectures and Seminars
The John Bonython Lecture is the Centre’s annual gala event, bringing the forefront of international intellectual opinion to Australia.
The annual Acton Lecture on Religion and Freedom, begun as the premier lecture of the Religion and the Free Society research programme, examined the contribution of religion to free societies. The CIS Lectures and Bert Kelly Lectures are held in capital cities around Australia and aim to foster accessible public debate on economic and social policy issues, while the annual Consilium brings together leading policy makers and thinkers for a weekend of discussion.

Publishing
Publishing is a central part of the Centre’s activities and currently we have over 150 publications in print. CIS Policy Monographs (PMs) and Occasional Papers (OPs), and are used by members of the media, policy analysts, academics, students, opinion makers and the general public. PMs are produced as a result of extensive research and analysis. Smaller, publications, OPs are often generated from lectures and seminars. The Issue Analysis series provides timely briefing papers on public policy issues to the media and those involved in policy formation. The Centre’s quarterly journal Policy has been published since 1985 and is a widely recognised reference for public policy formulation.

Liberty and Society Programme
In 1996 the CIS began a programme of weekend seminars designed to challenge the brightest young minds in Australia and New Zealand. The purpose is to bring together a group of undergraduates and recent graduates to discuss the intellectual basis and practical aspects of a free society. By targeting directly the opinion-makers and policy-formers of tomorrow, the Centre will help shape economic and social thinking in Australia and New Zealand.