Tom Switzer

Tom Switzer (/ˈswɪtsər/; born 1971) is an Australian political commentator and writer. He was the executive director of the Centre for Independent Studies (2015-2025)[1] and hosted Between the Lines on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio National.[2] He is a contributor to The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, and the Australian Financial Review. [3][4][5]

Early life and education

Switzer was born in 1971 in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Sydney.[6] He attended St Aloysius' College, Kirribilli, and graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts in History (First Class Honours) in 1993 and a Master of International Relations in 1994.[2]

Career

Switzer was an assistant editor at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. (1995–1998), editorial writer at the Australian Financial Review (1998–2001), opinion editor for The Australian (2001–2008), editor of The Spectator Australia (2009–2014), and a senior associate at the University of Sydney's United States Studies Centre (2009–2017).[1]

In 2008, he served as senior adviser to federal Liberal leader Brendan Nelson until Nelson's defeat by Malcolm Turnbull in a leadership spill. Switzer was widely believed to have played a key role in the Opposition's rejection of the Rudd government's emissions trading scheme.[7]

In 2009, Switzer was a candidate in the Bradfield by-election but was eliminated in the fifth round, with Paul Fletcher selected as the eventual candidate.[8]

Switzer presented several programs on ABC Radio National for more than a decade. In November 2023, he resigned from the ABC. News Corp reported his departure was partly motivated by the pressure of being a 'lone conservative' at the public broadcaster.[9] Switzer later attributed his resignation to a cancer diagnosis.[10]

Sexual harassment allegations

In August 2025, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that former CIS marketing and research analyst Emilie Dye had filed a complaint with the Fair Work Commission alleging sexual harassment by Switzer during a work-related social event in March 2025. According to the filings, Dye alleged that Switzer 'rubbed her leg,' told her she had a 'great arse,' and described himself as 'a very sexual guy.' Switzer denied the allegations.[11]

Dye also alleged that CIS had engaged in retaliatory conduct after she refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement, including launching an internal investigation into her own workplace behaviour. [11] Switzer stated that CCTV footage from the venue would show 'nothing untoward,' though it was later reported that Dye had not been informed of the footage's existence despite CIS staff and Switzer viewing it shortly after the incident.[12]

On 2 September 2025, following media scrutiny and the withdrawal of advocacy group Sydney YIMBY from a planned CIS event, the Centre for Independent Studies announced that Switzer had resigned from all roles, effective immediately.[13] [14]On 5 September 2025, the parties reached a resolution before the Fair Work Commission, with CIS issuing a joint statement that included an apology to Dye. [15][16] The Australian Financial Review reported that the payout and legal costs amounted to approximately $500,000.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b "Tom Switzer". Centre for Independent Studies. Research Scholars. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Tom Switzer". Radio National. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Tom Switzer". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Tom Switzer". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Tom Switzer". Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Tom Switzer". Q&A. Australia: ABC TV. 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  7. ^ Kerr, Christian, (31 July, 2008), “Business wants certainty from leader,” The Australian.
  8. ^ Salusinszky, Imre (28 September 2009). "Chosen for his smarts". The Australian. Sydney. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  9. ^ "'Ruffled feathers': Tom Switzer quits ABC". news. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  10. ^ Switzer, Tom (11 June 2025). "My cancer diagnosis was terrifying, but there are more reasons than ever to stay positive". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  11. ^ a b McGowan, Michael (7 August 2025). "Think tank accused of 'retaliatory action' after staffer complaint about high-profile director". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  12. ^ McGowan, Michael (24 August 2025). "'Card up my sleeve': Think tank withheld CCTV from alleged sexual harassment victim". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  13. ^ McGowan, Michael (2 September 2025). "Tom Switzer quits CIS after sexual harassment claim". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  14. ^ Karp, Paul (2 September 2025). "Switzer resigns from CIS after harassment complaint". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  15. ^ McGowan, Michael (9 September 2025). "Think tank apologises for 'significant distress' after sexual harassment complaint". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  16. ^ Pincott, Karla (5 September 2025). "Joint Statement". The Centre for Independent Studies. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  17. ^ StefanoColumnist, Mark Di (16 February 2026). "Think tank counts the financial cost of Tom Switzer". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
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