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Tom Switzer (; born 1971) is an Australian political writer and former executive director of the Centre for Independent Studies, a Sydney-based libertarian public-policy research think tank that focuses on classical liberal issues. He has been a host of Between the Lines on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio National and a columnist at the Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Financial Review.
In 2008, he was senior adviser to federal Liberal Party leader Brendan Nelson until the leadership spill that resulted in Nelson's defeat by Malcolm Turnbull. In 2009, after Nelson resigned from Parliament, Switzer was a candidate to replace him in the by-election and received endorsements from John Howard, Tony Abbott and Peter Costello. Switzer was defeated in the fifth round, with Paul Fletcher selected as eventual candidate.
Switzer's analysis of Australian politics has been published in international media, including The Wall Street Journal in opinion articles such as "Howard's End", "Defenestration Down Under", "The Triumph of Tony Abbott", "Australians Turn Away From Malcolm Turnbull", and "Australia’s Left Loses An Election It Was Sure To Win".
Dye also alleged in her Fair Work Commission complaint that Switzer "told me he fantasised about having a threesome with myself and another younger female colleague" during the night in question, and "implied professional benefit in exchange for complicity" by repeatedly stating he could arrange for her to receive a pay rise.
Switzer denied the allegations and stated that CCTV footage existed which he claimed would support his position, though it was reported that Dye was not informed of its existence.
On 2 September 2025, the Centre for Independent Studies announced that Switzer had resigned from all roles at the organisation, effective immediately, citing the pressure created by ongoing Fair Work Commission proceedings and the associated media coverage. The CIS confirmed it had complied with all procedural obligations but acknowledged the dispute had caused significant disruption to the organisation.
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