Who are the Atlas Network and what do they represent? That is a question being asked around New Zealand at the moment as the centre-right grapple with the sudden focus on a not well known network of think tanks established in 1981. It was created by Anthony Fisher, an ex-Royal Airforce pilot who didn’t like the centralized planning environment in the United Kingdom following World War 2.
Gustaf Torrin has written a summary of Atlas Network, which describes their characteristics. Atlas Network describe themselves as non-profit organization that aims to secure individual rights to economic and personal freedom.
If we assume Atlas Network are more accurate in their description of self, than Mr Torrin is, why then do they have the questionable attitudes described later in this article about indigenous rights around the world? Why are those with alleged links not simply coming clean about them – almost like there is something shameful to hide? And if they are the harmless outfit that some claim, then why are they linked to 500 think tanks in over 100 countries?
When an organization has that much influence, one is quite right to want to know more.
It is clear that the subject matter is touchy to people at the Taxpayers Union, where the C.E. Jordan Williams has blocked people on Twitter and elsewhere for asking questions about his links to it. The fact that Sean Plunket is using his media outlet The Platform to attack respected journalist Mihingarangi Forbes for her investigative work into the background of Atlas Network, tells me that Ms Forbes is closer to the mark than Atlas Network want to admit.
And yet, A.C.T. Party leader David Seymour clearly referenced it in the “freedom” section of a speech delivered a few weeks ago. But in an interview with Ms Forbes, he denied any links. It is conduct like this that is helping drive suspicions that there is more going on than meets the eye, hence Official Information Act requests. The New Zealand Initiative though, are more forthcoming and Dr Oliver Hartwich said as much.
The reason you might wonder about why the left wing of New Zealand politics are so alarmed about the Atlas Network is because it was linked to the NO vote in the Australian indigenous referendum last year and has supported moves against the rights of indigenous peoples in Brazil. Currently it is difficult to show a connection between Atlas Network and anti-Maori organizations such as Hobson’s Pledge, but I would argue that if there is no connection, those familiar with it should have no problems showing there is none.
The allegations go further and suggest that Atlas Network is helping to co-ordinate the resistance of oil companies and mining companies to anything that attempts to address climate change.
Of the individual political parties that are thought to be linked to Atlas Network, A.C.T. is beyond doubt when Mr Seymour has said as much. National’s connections are not so well known, whilst New Zealand First has been fingered by investigators in several instances.
Let us see where this goes, but if anyone thinks that this is going to die out anytime soon, are you interested in buying a bridge?
Leftist Kiwi Writes 