A National Integrity Commission is needed to investigate and expose corruption and misconduct in our federal government and public sector. Currently there are significant gaps in the jurisdiction and investigative powers of the federal agencies responsible for scrutinising the public sector and government. No federal agency has the power to investigate corrupt conduct as state-based

Promotion of large-scale irrigation in the West Kimberley ignores the lessons of the East Kimberley. Census data shows that despite huge public subsidy in Ord irrigation, the major employers in both regions are health, education and services. Tourism, carbon farming, renewable energy and high-value niche agriculture are also avenues of potential development.Discussion paper

The Tasmanian Integrity Commission (Tasmanian IC) has major design flaws that render it far less effective than the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (NSW ICAC) in exposing systemic corruption. The NSW ICAC makes more findings of corrupt conduct, refers more cases for prosecution, holds more public inquiries, and tackles systemic corruption cases of public significance. Over

Corruption costs 5% of GDP worldwide. The cost of corruption to economies is well established, and much research exists on the impact of corruption on investment, business costs, efficient allocation of capital and economic inequality.  Trust in government is at a historic low in Australia, and according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) Australia

3600 MW, or 14%, of coal and gas generation failed during the February 2017 heatwave. Report calls for the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) to require “heat safe” back-up for coal and gas plants. New analysis released today by The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program shows that coal and gas failed to provide energy security

Political donations in Australia are difficult to monitor as many go unreported. Only donations over $13,000 are disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commission. The majority of donations are likely to be under this disclosure threshold or hidden through other means, such as through associated entities or party fundraising events. Despite these shortcomings, the disclosures that

Australia’s mining industry is 86% foreign owned and has spent over $541 million in the last ten years on lobbying Australian governments through its peak lobby groups, which are dominated by foreign interests. Spending on lobbying by individual mining companies is not public information, but would bring this number up significantly. This report finds that:

No federal agency has the investigative powers or jurisdiction to expose corrupt conduct in the federal government and public sector. A federal anti-corruption commission would fill the gaps in our integrity system and increase public trust in government. No federal agency has the investigative powers or jurisdiction to expose corrupt conduct in the federal government

This report examines the effectiveness of a national integrity commission without the ability to hold public hearings. 80 per cent of Australians support establishing a national integrity commission, and 78 per cent support establishing one with public hearings. Evidence from Australian state based anti-corruption commissions show that the ability to hold public hearings have been

The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the ACT Select Committee on an Independent Integrity Commission. The Australia Institute has examined the available evidence from the performance of anti-corruption commissions around Australia in order to inform the most effective design of an integrity commission in the ACT. Our research has found

The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Finkel Review. With the current state public discussion around energy issues, this review has the potential to steer Australia back towards a policy path that looks after the interests of energy consumers and the environment. Australia’s energy future should centre on renewable energy

The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory. Our submission focuses on Theme 7.7 of the Background and Issues Paper, economic impacts and also addresses other themes that the Institute has conducted research on.

A comparison of the Queensland and NSW anti-corruption commissions. The Queensland CCC has major design flaws that render it far less effective than the NSW ICAC, leading to fewer corrupt conduct findings and minimal public exposure of systemic corruption.

The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Select Committee on the Establishment of a National Integrity Commission. With recent polling conducted by the Australia Institute revealing 85% of Australians believe there is corruption in federal politics, and ongoing scandals showing evidence of this, it is time for a National Integrity

Report reveals a web of political donations, special access and secret lobbying behind controversial mining projects.  The report examines 6 highly controversial QLD resource projects and highlights the strong connection of these companies to QLD and federal political parties. The Queensland Liberal National Party accepted over $300,000 from companies associated with these projects, but most of the political