Duan Bingde, Information Center, Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC)

Research Report No 186, 2014 (Total 4685)

Abstract:

The think tank system in Australia consists of a government's internal decision-making consultation system and non-governmental think tanks. Think tanks in Australia develop for only a short period of time and the number is comparatively small, but they have developed rapidly with intensive input from the government. The government's internal decision-making consultation system is tight and complicated with a high level of openness. The Productivity Commission, highlighting independence, transparency and the macroeconomic perspective, is one of its important representatives. The non-governmental think tanks that have their own specialized research fields have already established a standardized operation mechanism and an evaluation system. They exert impacts on policy-making and policy implementation through multiple channels such as the "revolving door" pattern. The Grattan Institute is an outstanding example of a non-governmental think tank that has established its standardized and strict work flows, a well-established influence evaluation system and a comparatively sound salary system.

The two categories of think tanks complement each other and promote the development of policy consultation in Australia together. This report made a summary of the experience of Australian government think tanks in terms of their independence, operating mechanism, evaluation system and synergistic effect, in hopes of giving inspiration for China's construction of new think tanks with Chinese characteristics.