John Roskam is the whip smart and media savvy executive director of the Institute of Public Affairs, the loudest – and most right wing – think tank in the country.

They may often disagree with each other, but our powerful thinkers have similar qualities: they're so passionate about their field that they're willing to use academic rigour, a forensic nature and a way with words to influence the national debate.

Could the creation of yet another left-leaning think tank be the answer to Labor's identity crisis? Outspoken union boss Paul Howes certainly hopes so.