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October 2020
September 2020
August 2019
We can handle the truth: Opportunities for truth in political advertising
Truth in political advertising laws are supported by 84% of Australians. Successful models include industry self-regulation in New Zealand and making misleading advertising an offence in South Australia. Decisions about what constitutes “the truth” may be fraught, but they are routinely made by companies and regulators under consumer law. Australia can choose from a variety of models, but some form of truth in
April 2019
January 2019
Feedback on the Consultation Paper – A Commonwealth Integrity Commission – Proposed reform
The National Integrity Committee made a submission on the Consultation Paper for a Commonwealth Integrity Commission. The Committee is an independent group of retired judges assisted by the Australia Institute who have been involved over the last 18 months in advocating the need for a Federal Integrity Commission. Much of the Committee’s advocacy has been
Submission on the National Integrity Bills 2018
The National Integrity Committee made a submission on the National Integrity Bills 2018. The Committee is an independent group of retired judges assisted by the Australia Institute who have been involved over the last 18 months in advocating the need for a Federal Integrity Commission. In this submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, the
November 2018
Different Breeds of Watchdog
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
September 2018
Implementation Plan for a National Integrity Commission
This Implementation Plan has been prepared by the National Integrity Committee, to provide policy advice on the implementation of the National Integrity Commission design outlined in the committee’s Design Principles and the Design Blueprint.
June 2018
Victoria’s watchdog losing teeth
April 2018
National Integrity Commission Papers
The Australia Institute’s National Integrity Committee of corruption fighters and retired judges has today released the next stage in the design of a National Integrity Commission. The National Integrity Committee’s Blueprint provides analysis on: The appointment of an independent Commissioner nominated by bipartisan committee The need for a National Integrity Commission to have a broad
February 2018
Out in the open
January 2018
Voters across political spectrum want greater accountability of Tasmanian politicians
Transparency and accountability of politicians and the public service may be one of the sleeper issues of the upcoming state election. A recent poll of 781 voters in Bass undertaken by ReachTEL on the night of January 16th for The Australia Institute found that 85% of respondents wanted more powers and resources available to Tasmania’s
The costs of corruption
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
December 2017
Polling – National ICAC
Amid low levels of trust in Parliament, there is overwhelming and increasing support for a National ICAC. But voters are discerning. Most say a National ICAC would increase public trust in Parliament if it can investigate politicians and hold public hearings, but an ICAC without these powers may further erode trust in Parliament. [Full results
November 2017
Principles for designing a National Integrity Commission
A National Integrity Commission is urgently needed to investigate and expose corruption and misconduct in federal government and the public sector.
October 2017
Consumer protection in the banking, insurance and financial sector
The Australia Institute made this submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee’s inquiry into consumer protection in the banking, insurance and financial sector. Our main concern in this submission is to look at the deeper issues and ask what are the forces that drive ‘bad behaviour’ in the finance and insurance sectors. We start with
September 2017
The tip of the iceberg: Political donations from the mining industry
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
Undermining our democracy: Foreign corporate influence through the Australian mining lobby
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:
August 2017
Ten reasons why a federal ICAC should have the discretion to conduct public hearings
Associate Professor Appleby has argued that a federal ICAC should have the discretion to conduct public hearings in ‘cases where public concern surrounding an allegation of corruption that it rises to a crisis of confidence in government’, demanding an immediate assurance that a robust investigation is underway. Recent survey research indicates that there is already
Lessons from the NSW ICAC: ‘This watchdog has teeth’
There is a strong need and broad public support for a federal anti-corruption commission with public hearings. Of the state commissions already established in Australia, NSW ICAC has been markedly successful in carrying out its legislated mission and provides a fair model for emulation, with refinement and adaptation, at the federal level. Premier Nick Greiner
Accountability and the Law: Anti-corruption agencies in Australia
Corrupt conduct has always been part of human society, and has caused the downfall of empires and societies including the Romans and the Ottomans. It erodes public trust in government and encourages citizens to also act unethically. We must remain absolutely intolerant of public corruption. It is wishful thinking that corruption is endemic in New
Re: Establishment of a National Integrity Commission
Transparency International Australia’s position remains that a broad-based federal anti-corruption agency is needed, as part of an enhanced multi-agency strategy – especially to ensure a comprehensive approach to corruption risks beyond the criminal investigation system, and support stronger parliamentary integrity.
The darkest corners: The case for a federal integrity commission
There is a compelling case for a federal integrity commission: there is strong public support for such a body, and there is evidence that corruption is endemic in our federal public service, with 3000 cases being reported by the public service’s own survey. State-based anti-corruption bodies have found corruption in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth,
The case for a federal corruption watchdog: ICAC needed to fill the gaps in our integrity system
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
July 2017
Shining a light on corruption
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
June 2017
Ensure the Crime and Corruption Commission is the strongest it can be to prevent corruption in Queensland
Three key changes are required to the CC Act and Bill – to ensure the definition of ‘corrupt conduct’ is widened sufficiently to include all appropriate activities, and to meet the high standards and effectiveness of the respected NSW ICAC.
Select Committee on an Independent Integrity Commission
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