Research // Governance & Government Agencies
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October 2024
Polling – National Anti-Corruption Commission public hearings
The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,005 Australians about the circumstances under which the National Anti-Corruption Commission should be allowed to hold public hearings. 67% of Australians say that public hearings should be held under either unlimited circumstances or when a public hearing would be in the public interest, more frequently than
September 2024
Submission to the JSCEM Inquiry into the 2024 Tasmanian elections
The proposals highlighted in this submission provide prioritised measures that would make the use of public resources in parliamentary elections more democratic and ensure public money is better spent.
July 2024
Money and power in Tasmanian elections
The Electoral Disclosure and Funding Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to address shortcomings of existing electoral laws; however, further amendments are required to adequately account for fairness for new political entrants, allow community voices to engage in elections, and strengthen regulation of corporates and industry bodies seeking to influence elections as third parties.
May 2024
Polling – Australian attitudes to ACT policies
In 2019, the Australia Institute published Canberra: Laboratory of democracy, which described innovative, politically controversial policies from the Australian Capital Territory that were popular across the country.
Democracy Agenda for the 51st Tasmanian Parliament
This discussion paper describes the evolution of key democratic reforms in Tasmania, principles for a healthy democracy, and details 16 reforms that Tasmanian parliamentarians
– Liberal, Labor, Independent and minor party – could pursue in the 51st Tasmanian Parliament.
April 2024
Submission: Access to Parliament House by Lobbyists
Lobbying can give vested interests unfair advantages, be unduly secretive and serve to exclude the public from negotiations over policy.
March 2024
Democracy and accountability in the pandemic
The Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program made a submission to the COVID-19 Response Inquiry. The Australia Institute’s Democracy & Accountability Program carried out significant research into topics that might be of interest to the panel. This submission outlines how these research papers come under each of the Inquiry’s terms of reference.
Inquiry into the ART bills
The Administrative Review Tribunal Bill represents a dramatic improvement on the politicised appointments process that undermined trust in and the operations of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Saying ‘no’ to Santos: Submission regarding the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2023
Offshore gas must not bypass genuine consultation with traditional owners or the wider community. Adequate consultation will always challenge the crumbling social license of fossil fuel operations – perhaps that is why there are proposals to “clarify and improve” consultation and approvals?
Submission: NSW Planning system and the impacts of climate change
The Australia Institute made a submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the NSW Planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities.
February 2024
Submission: Inquiry into the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982
FOI is a crucial part of the beneficial information feedback loop between the government and the people.
The 47th Parliament and the Democracy Agenda
In 2022, the Australia Institute released the Democracy Agenda for the 47th Parliament to encourage parliamentarians and the government to consider how to improve integrity and democratic responsiveness.
December 2023
Submission: Climate Active Program Direction
There is no evidence that self-regulation and/or voluntary environmental certification schemes result in better outcomes for the environment or consumers. In fact, the opposite is often true, with these initiatives facilitating misleading claims by the private sector.
Not-for-Profit Sector Development Blueprint
The Australia Institute made a submission to the Federal Department of Social Services Community Services Advisory Group’s Not-for-Profit Sector Development Blueprint consultation. The
November 2023
It’s Time
Tasmania’s patchwork approach to marine management should be replaced with an integrated approach.
Polling – ABC Board
The Australia Institute surveyed a sample of 1,535 Australians about how the Communications Minister makes appointments to the ABC Board.
Submission: An independent ABC for a strong democracy
Australia’s public broadcasters (the ABC and SBS) should remain independent and free from political interference.
October 2023
Consultants: Structurally Unsound
The audit, assurance and consulting industry has failed to meet expectations. The industry needs clear standards, better monitoring and strong sanctions for misconduct.
Why the Australia Institute Supports The Voice to Parliament
The Australia Institute is a longstanding supporter of a constitutionally enshrined Voice, as articulated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Research is the cornerstone of the Australia Institute’s work. There is a significant body of research—led by First Nations people—about the Voice to Parliament, where it came from, how it is likely to work,
September 2023
The Hidden Political Expenditure of Australian Corporations
Publicly-listed companies in Australia disclose little information about their political expenditure, with few disclosing lobbying spending or payments to trade associations
Submission: 2022 Victorian State Election Inquiry
Truth in political advertising laws are recommended, supported, and overdue in Victoria.
Submission: Money and Power in Victorian Elections
In 2018, the Victorian Parliament made major changes to electoral law in the state, including introducing real-time disclosure of donation, banning foreign donations and limiting anonymous donations.
Submission: Consultants: corrosive and conflicted
The problems attached to over-use of consultants are becoming clearer. The experience in New South Wales accords with the national experience: dependency on consultants hollows out public sector capacity and leads to bad government decisions.
August 2023
Submission: Freedom of Information Inquiry
FOI is a crucial part of the beneficial information feedback loop between the government and the people. However, our FOI system is broken and cultural and legal changes are needed to fix it.
Polling – Consultancies, donation reform, and trusted policy advice
The Australia Institute surveyed a sample of 1,501 Australians about their attitudes towards consultancies, donation reform, and who they trust to provide policy advice to the government. The results show that: Three in every four Australians (74%) support banning political donations from organisations that receive funding from government contracts, including 80% of Coalition voters, 70%
Submission: Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures Bill 2023
A submission made by the Australia Institute to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023.
July 2023
Submission: No ‘Responsible AI’ without transparency and accountability
The Australia Institute’s Centre for Responsible Technology made a submission to the Federal Government’s consultation on Safe and responsible AI (artificial intelligence) in Australia. To make AI safer and more responsible, the Australia Institute recommends:
June 2023
Polling: PwC & New Government Contracts
The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,002 Australians about their attitude toward the Federal Government providing new work to the consulting firm PwC. The results show that: • Four in five Australians (79%) think that PwC should be banned from receiving new government work, while just 2% think there should not be
Advantages of Incumbency
Sitting politicians receive millions in public funding that support re-election.
May 2023
Polling – Government Use of Consultants
The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,002 Australians about their attitudes towards the Federal Government’s use of external consultants. The results show that: Four in five Australians (79%) agree that the public service should have the skills and capacity to do work currently outsourced to consultants. Three in four Australians (72%) think