Labor accused of payback against think tank for its criticism of China

Tom McIlroy and Emma Connors

Dec 19, 2024 – 2.18pm

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The Coalition has accused Labor of targeted payback against a think tank for its criticism of China and has warned that the recommendations of a review into strategic policy advice will weaken engagement with Washington just as Donald Trump returns to the White House.

The review of $40 million of annual think-tank funding suggests that block funding of four institutions – including the Canberra-based Australian Strategic Policy Institute – should be replaced by competitive bids in the coming years. It also wants to close the ASPI office in Washington that was opened with a $5 million grant just a few years ago.

Tom McIlroy is the Financial Review’s Canberra bureau chief based in the press gallery at Parliament House. He was previously the AFR’s political correspondent.

Emma Connors was South-east Asia correspondent from October 2019 until mid-2023, based in Jakarta and Singapore. She has previously edited Perspective and Opinion and has written extensively across the AFR and related titles.