Tweets oust IPA fellow Alan Moran

ONE of the highest profile members of the IPA has left the think tank’s staff after a crackdown on social media exposed questionable tweets.

ONE of the highest profile members of the Institute of Public ­Affairs has left the think tank’s staff after a crackdown on social media exposed questionable tweets about Islam and federal Labor.

Alan Moran, the IPA’s former director of deregulation, was also a high-profile campaigner against “green radicals’’ and militant unionism.

Dr Moran recently engaged with left-wing activists on the issue of Islam and the sexual ­assault investigation into Labor leader Bill Shorten, which was dropped because of a lack of evidence. On August 17, Dr Moran accused federal Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek of backing the investigation into Mr Shorten for reasons of ambition. “Tanya Plibersek backs rape probe into unnamed senior Labor figure. Can only be ‘cus he is a rival for leadership?’’ Dr Moran tweeted. He sparked outrage when he tweeted this month: “Is there ever anything but evil coming from Islam?’’

IPA chief John Roskam confirmed that Dr Moran had left the IPA. Dr Moran told The Australian there had been concerns about his social media activity.

It is understood there was particular concern about Dr Moran’s position on Islam, given the IPA receives donations from some ­Islamic individuals and seeks to engage with moderate elements of the Muslim community.

A close observer of the think tank defended Dr Moran, arguing: “Alan’s departure means that the IPA has lost most of its hard-nosed policy grunt and institutional memory in one fell swoop.”