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The Australian Skeptics is a non-profit organization based in Australia which investigates paranormal and pseudoscientific claims using scientific methodologies.

Contents 1 History 2 The Skeptic 3 The (Skeptic) TANK Podcast 4 Debate 5 Awards and prizes 6 Disputed claims 7 Prominent members of the Australian Skeptics 8 References 9 External links

The Australian Skeptics were founded in Victoria in 1980, after a visit to Australia by James Randi, who encouraged its establishment based upon the USA Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (also known as CSICOP).^[1] It grew from a Melbourne based organization to a national one over the following years. It currently has some 2100 members in all Australian States and Territories. Each State and Territory has its own Branch and most have their own newsletters.

The journal of the Australian Skeptics is called the Skeptic and has been published since 1981.^[2] The first issue, edited by the first President of the Australian Skeptics, Mark Plummer, appeared in January 1981. Three issues appeared in 1981 and it has appeared quarterly since 1982. the Skeptic is used extensively by the media in Australia seeking an alternative view on many of the issues examined by the Australian Skeptics.

All back issues of the Skeptic are free to download from the Australian Skeptics web site.

The TANK Podcast, produced by Richard Saunders of Australian Skeptics and Mystery Investigators, is Australia's only skeptical podcast. Guests have included James Randi, Eugenie C Scott, Phil Plait and Alison Smith from SAPS.^[3]

In June 2005, members of the creationist group Answers in Genesis–Australia debated a team from the Australian Skeptics online on Margo Kingston's web diary section of the Sydney Morning Herald website. ^[4]

Australian Skeptics is offering $100,000 (Australian) for proof of psychic or paranormal powers. $20,000 of it goes to the person who nominates the successful claimant (which may be the same person).

Annually, the Australian Skeptics award several prizes including an essay prize for young writers, a $10,000 cash prize for challenging paramormal beliefs and advancing scientific thinking, Skeptic of the Year, and the Bent Spoon Award. The Bent Spoon award is given to "to the perpetrator of the most preposterous piece of paranormal or pseudo-scientific piffle" - only Australian individuals and groups are eligable for these awards.

The Australian Skeptics dispute the veracity or scientific basis for the following phenomena or theories:

• Acupuncture
• Adam and Eve
• Alchemy
• Abduction Phenomenon (Aliens)
• Aliens
• Alternative Medicine
• The Amityville Horror
• Ancient Astronauts
• Angels
• Anti-gravity (Machines)
• The Antichrist
• Apparitions
• Anti-Immunisation Claims
• Aromatherapy
• Astrology
• Astral projection
• Atlantis
• Auras
• Automatic writing
• Ayurvedic Medicine See: Ayurveda
• Backward Masking See: Backward message
• Bass Strait Triangle
• Bee Venom Therapy
• Bermuda Triangle
• Bible Numerics
• Biblical Literalism
• Bigfoot
• Biorhythms
• Bone Pointing
• Bridey Murphy
• Bunyip
• Cattle mutilation
• Channeling
• Chiropractic
• Christian Science
• Clairvoyance
• Cold Fusion
• Creationism
• Crop Circles
• Cryonics
• Cryptozoology
• Crystal healing
• Crystal power
• Cults
• Curses
• Demons
• Dental Amalgam Removal
• Devils
• Dianetics
• Divining
• Dowsing
• Dragon's Triangle
• Dreams Of The Future

This is not a complete list, a complete list of disputed claims is available on their website.^[5].

• Phillip Adams A.O.
• Dr Colin Groves
• Dr Donald Laycock
• Dick Smith
• John Stear
• Barry Williams
• Richard Saunders
• Peter Bowditch
• Dr Steve Roberts aka 'Dr. Bob'

1. ^ The Skeptic, Volume 1, Issue 1, 1981
2. ^ Brief History of the Skeptic Accessed 30 January 2007
3. ^ Tank Podcast
4. ^ Sydney Morning Herald debate
5. ^ Australian Skeptics website

• Australian Skeptics Website
• Committee for the Scientific Investigation of the Paranormal

Skeptic Organizations

Australian Skeptics • Bihar Buddhiwadi Samaj (India) • Center for Inquiry • Committee for Skeptical Inquiry • Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association (India) • Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham (India) • Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations • Irish Skeptics Society • James Randi Educational Foundation • New England Skeptical Society • Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science • Science and Rationalists' Association of India • Skepchick International • The Skeptics Society • Tarksheel Society (India)