Former AFR editor-in-chief calls time at Nine to run independent think tank

The former Financial Review boss has called his time at Nine Entertainment, to join the Centre for Independent Studies.

Michael Stutchbury Australian Financial Review former Editor-at-Large has left Nine Entertainment. Picture: ABC

Michael Stutchbury has left the Financial Review a little more than a year after standing down as editor-in-chief to join an influential centre-right think tank.

Mr Stutchbury, who led the paper for 13 years before stepping into the role of editor-at-large, announced his departure from the newsroom in a message to staff on Monday to take up an “exciting opportunity” at the Centre for Independent Studies.

The former media boss previously moved from Nine (then Fairfax) to this masthead as editor for five years, before returning to become the longest serving editor or editor-in-chief in the AFR’s seven-decade history.

He touted a strong association between the CIS and his former paper, suggesting the two had “mostly shared an intellectual world view which I am keen to continue at my new digs”.

“As a reporter and editor, I have followed and reported on the CIS since the 1980s. It was clear then that intellectual foundations established by Greg Lindsay had supported the economic liberalisation that delivered Australia’s modern prosperity,” he said.

Michael Stutchbury moved back to the AFR in 2011 after a five-year stint editing The Australian.

“The CIS team of researchers continues to make telling contributions in policy areas from education to housing. I am also delighted that my long-time friend and colleague Tom Switzer will continue to play an important CIS role.”

Outgoing CIS head Tom Switzer, who will remain at the think tank as a “senior fellow focusing on a wide range of policy, intellectual and current affairs”.

Mr Switzer said Mr Stutchbury was the best person to lead the independent think tank.

“(He is) one of our nation’s soundest and most influential economic writers and opinion makers,” Mr Switzer said.

“His enthusiasm and optimism, impressive journalistic instincts, quick and deep intellect, sound policy judgment, attention to detail – all this makes Michael a most worthy successor … at a time when our nation experiences a productivity drought and faces mounting socio-economic and strategic challenges.”

The public policy think tank, which regularly publishes across issues of energy, taxation, fiscal policy and education, has signalled a focus on productivity as the defining problem for the Australian economy and a priority for the organisation.

The CIS touted their new executive director as having “consistently demonstrated a strong grasp of the interplay between government policy and market dynamics, making him a prominent voice in debates over taxation, regulation and productivity”.

Mr Stutchbury has signalled his intention to continue “regularly contributing to the Financial Review” in his new role.