February 2023
Ultimately, it’s the senate that needs to drive accountability and integrity in politics
Australia’s newest integrity institution, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), will help root out corruption and hold the powerful to account.
One hundred years of the Coalition – will Nationals and Liberals be celebrating?
This February marks an important anniversary in our nation’s electoral history – but for some reason it appears the centenary has approached with remarkably little fanfare from the enduring, occasionally fractious, political couple.
January 2023
Summer Series – The Integrity Election [Webinar]
Our summer podcast series brings you some of the best conversations from our webinars in 2022. The Federal Election earlier this year was considered by many to be the Integrity Election, with many including the Teal independents campaigning on integrity issues, including a federal anti-corruption commission. In retrospect, these issues won many new seats, and
December 2022
Shining a Light on Cronyism
A report from the Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program represents the largest and most comprehensive domestic study of the practice of cronyism in relation to appointments to a government agency ever conducted in Australia. This was recorded on Wednesday 12th October 2022 and things may have changed since recording. The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute
September 2022
A NACC for Integrity
The Federal Government recently tabled legislation to establish a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), a long overdue measure to help restore trust in politics and democracy. The bill is not without criticism however, there are concerns that the threshold for holding public hearings is unreasonably high. This was recorded on Thursday 29th September 2022 and things
Don’t bet on the pokies to deliver revenue
As the Tasmanian government seeks to limit spending on the pokies, the data shows how much gambling takes from society, and how little it delivers in revenue
The Woke Agenda
In this episode we’re unpacking something a little different, something a bit outside our usual discussion about the economy. As Defence Minister Richard Marles lifts Peter Dutton’s ban on some charity and diversity events in Defence, we dive into the term ‘woke’. What does it mean? Why is it dominating the culture wars? Dive in
August 2022
The First Fortnight of the 47th Parliament
We are nearly at the end of the first sitting fortnight of the 47th Parliament, and it has been a packed agenda. This week we’re unpacking quick recap of how much things have changed in this new Parliament, and what changes are likely on the horizon. This was recorded live on Wednesday 3rd August 2022
July 2022
Follow the Money LIVE!
For this special live episode of Follow the Money, the panel will be discussing: A New Agenda for a New Parliament: Climate Action, International Affairs & Integrity – Yes Please! bringing together diverse knowledge on all fronts of climate & energy, international & security affairs, and integrity issues. This was recorded on Wednesday 13th July
26 Years Later
The Parliaments of the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have been banned from legislating voluntary assisted dying laws, but the new government and members of the new Parliament are seeking to restore Territory Rights as a matter of priority. This was recorded on Tuesday 5th July 2022 and things may have changed since
June 2022
The Integrity Election [webinar]
This year was the Integrity Election. Prior to the election, we were joined by Independent MPs Helen Haines and Zali Steggall for a discussion about the potential for the 2022 federal election to grow the crossbench or result in another minority parliament, and what further reforms could be on the horizon. This was recorded on
May 2022
The explosion of political appointments to the AAT
New research from the Australia Institute shows that the number of political appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal has skyrocketed. In this episode Ebony unpacks the largest and most comprehensive domestic study of the practice of cronyism in relation to appointments to a government agency ever conducted, with Ben Oquist and Bill Browne. This was
April 2022
Democracy Agenda for the 47th Parliament
With trust in politics falling to crisis levels and a declining faith in democracy itself, there is an urgent need for reforms. The Australia Institute has prepared an agenda for the next parliament, whoever wins the election, with over 40 proposals for reform. This was recorded live on 12 April 2022 and things may have
January 2022
Summer Series – Ensuring Accountability with Senator Kristina Keneally [webinar series]
Our summer podcast series brings you some of the best conversations from our webinars in 2021. Accountability is fundamental to restoring integrity in politics. Join Shadow Minister for Government Accountability, Senator Kristina Keneally, for a discussion about scrutiny, transparency, and why integrity in politics matters. This episode was recorded live on 5 May 2021 and
Summer Series – Keeping the Bastards Honest with Senator Rex Patrick [webinar series]
Our summer podcast series brings you some of the best conversations from our webinars in 2021. This episode you’ll hear from Independent Senator Rex Patrick Rex about the huge gaps in Australia’s system of integrity and accountability mechanisms at the federal level. This in-depth discussion covers everything from unnecessary government secrecy, Freedom of Information laws
December 2021
Is your Super Fund invested in nuclear weapons?
New research reveals most major Australian superannuation funds have holdings in nuclear weapons companies
Skewed: How grants with ministerial discretion are biased towards Coalition seats
Grants with ministerial discretion skew towards Coalition seats
October 2021
Talk isn’t cheap
The Commonwealth Government spends over $1billion of public money annually on consultancies, but the advice and reports created by these consultancies is often kept secret from the public.
June 2021
When is a cabinet not a cabinet?
National Cabinet was created during the pandemic to make big decisions at a fast pace, but how much do Australians know about the advice on lockdowns or hotel quarantine, or about its deliberations and decisions? Not much, it’s pretty much a black hole. But a court case could change that. In this episode we dive
Public Sector Informant: National cabinet secrecy hurts energy policies
Last week, Senator Rex Patrick challenged the secrecy of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s National Cabinet. In the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, parties argued whether the National Cabinet belongs to the Westminster tradition, with its expectations of cabinet confidentiality, solidarity and collective responsibility. The controversy cuts to the core of our system of government. Eventual court decisions
July 2020
Big Little Political Lies
The Morrison government announced it will cut the JobSeeker coronavirus supplement, which had lifted a whopping 425,000 people out of poverty. We talk to Matt Grudnoff, senior economist at the Australia Institute to understand the impact this cut will have on poverty rates, now that there are hundreds of thousands more unemployed people, as well
March 2019
Australia’s gun lobby and its political donations laid bare
The footage was shocking: One Nation figures meeting with the National Rifle Association in the US in search of political donations, media support and strategic advice. Australians may be surprised to discover the gun lobby in Australia rivals the NRA in size and spending, according to Australia Institute research commissioned by Gun Control Australia. Most people have
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