Think tank fears budget cuts amid overhaul of government funding for national security research [Video]

Prominent American politicians and military leaders have rallied behind an influential Australian think tank known for its hawkish views on the Chinese Communist Party and defence policy as the Albanese government considers overhauling government funding for national security research.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s department in February commissioned former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade head Peter Varghese to review national security strategic policy work.

Australia’s strategic policy community has since been abuzz with speculation the review was driven in part by a desire to rein in the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a Canberra think tank established in 2001 and led by former Liberal Party staffer Justin Bassi.

Officials from the Chinese embassy in Canberra included government funding for “anti-China” research …