Political corruption

NARROWER TERMS


Report

Operation Clara: special report

Operation Clara was an investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC). This report highlights the need for reforms to the regulation of lobbying in Victoria and makes recommendations to ensure those regulations are in step with other states and territories.
Strategy

Protecting Australia’s whistleblowers: the federal roadmap

Whistleblowers are a vital part of Australian democracy, playing a crucial role in the integrity and accountability of public and private institutions each and every day. This publication sets out the 12 key areas of reform needed to place Australia back on the road to...
Fact sheet

Fact Check: Mark Dreyfus says the government's anti-corruption commission legislation honours its election commitment 'in both form and substance'. Is that correct?

Mark Dreyfus says the government's anti-corruption commission legislation honours its election commitment 'in both form and substance'. Verdict: In the ballpark.
Discussion paper

The importance of public hearings: the case against the “exceptional circumstances” test

This paper argues that the 'exceptional circumstances' test in the Commonwealth’s National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022 is unhelpful, vague and counterproductive. The test will impede the ability of the National Anti-Corruption Commission to uncover corruption and misconduct.
Report

Special report on corruption risks associated with donations and lobbying

This report sets out recommendations for significant improvements to donations and lobbying regulations in Victoria. These recommendations are based on analysis of Victoria's regulatory framework and the experience of other Australian and comparable international jurisdictions and broader research.
Working paper

Anti-corruption and public integrity strategies - insights from new OECD indicators

The experience of OECD countries shows that addressing corruption requires a comprehensive policy approach. The main purpose of this paper is to inform assessment of anti-corruption policies in the OECD Economic Surveys.
Book

How and why to regulate false political advertising in Australia

This open access book provides political, legal and public interest justifications for truth in election advertising legislation and examines the history and state of play of legal experiments with such legislation in Australia.
Report

Operation Watts

This joint investigation, conducted by IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman, was initiated following allegations of serious corrupt conduct involving Victorian public officers, including Members of Parliament. The joint investigation examined a range of matters, including allegations of misuse of electorate offices, ministerial office staff and...
Position paper

Designing the National Integrity Commission: critical design details

This position paper outlines what the Centre for Public Integrity believes are the essential elements that should form the design of a National Integrity Commission for Australia.
Fact sheet

Fact Check: Scott Morrison says the government's proposed integrity commission would have the powers of a royal commission. Is that correct?

Scott Morrison says the government's proposed integrity commission would have the powers of a royal commission. Is that correct? Verdict: Mr Morrison is cherrypicking.
Briefing paper

Public hearings shine light on corruption: sunlight is the best disinfectant

This briefing paper outlines why public hearings fulfil important functions in corruption investigations.
Position paper

Transparency International Australia's 2022 election position statement

In this election position statement, Transparency International Australia calls on all parties and candidates in the 2022 federal election to commit to making integrity reforms a reality within the next three years.
Book

Papua New Guinea: government, economy and society

Papua New Guinea, a nation of now almost nine million people, continues to evolve and adapt. Edited by Professor Stephen Howes and Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai, this book is highly recommended for students, policy-makers and anyone interested in understanding this complex and fascinating country.
Report

Still toothless: jurisdictional, funding and secrecy issues in the Integrity Commission Tasmania

This report draws on recommendations of the National Integrity Committee, a group of prominent judges and lawyers convened by the Australia Institute. The report compares the Tasmanian Integrity Commission with other integrity bodies around Australia.
Policy

Politics for people, not corporations and billionaires

This policy statement outlines The Greens' policy position on parliamentary standards, political donations and the establishment of a federal integrity commission.
Policy report

Orange Book 2022: policy priorities for the federal government

Building on research and analysis published by Grattan Institute since it was founded 13 years ago, this report identifies reforms to boost incomes, improve health and education, create better transport links, make housing more affordable, generate meaningful progress on climate change, and strengthen Australia’s political...
Discussion paper

Confronting State capture

State capture occurs when powerful or wealthy interests interfere with decision-making and assume a degree of control over the democratic rule-making process itself. This report breaks down six modes of influence used in State capture.
Fact sheet

Fact Check: Anne Ruston says the government's proposed federal integrity commission would have powers 'well in excess' of a royal commission. Is she correct?

In an interview on the ABC's Insiders programme Social Services Minister Anne Ruston defended the strength of the government's proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission claiming "our particular bill suggests that the powers of the commission are well in excess of a royal commission." Verdict: Senator Ruston's...
Report

Selling out: how powerful industries corrupt our democracy

This report explores how the powerful fossil fuel, gambling and tobacco industries are attempting to take advantage of Australia’s weak integrity laws, thereby distorting the nation's democratic processes, to put profits ahead of society's wellbeing.
Report

Corruption perceptions index 2021

The index offers an annual snapshot of the relative degree of corruption by ranking countries and territories from all over the globe. Two years into the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals that corruption levels have stagnated worldwide.
Discussion paper

Which watchdog?

This paper asserts that comparing the features of existing state integrity commissions with the models proposed by the federal government, the ALP and Helen Haines, the Morrison Government’s Commonwealth Integrity Commission (CIC) would be the weakest and least effective integrity agency in the country.
Report

Investigation into the regulation of lobbying, access and influence in NSW

This report on Operation Eclipse is an investigation into the regulation of lobbying, access and influence in New South Wales. It examines factors that could either allow, encourage or cause corrupt conduct, or detract from the integrity and good repute of public administration.
Case study

Industry political donations and disclosable payments - case study: the resources and energy industry

New analysis of 20 years of Australian Electoral Commission donation disclosures shows the resources industry is the largest donating industry to Australia’s political parties and campaigners.
Journal article

Regulating the influencers: the evolution of lobbying regulation in Australia

Exploring the history and evolution of lobbying regulation in Australian federal and state jurisdictions, this article develops a conceptual framework to evaluate lobbying regulation based on the form of regulation, the standards it imposes, and compliance processes.
Report

Criminality, corruption and impunity: should Australia join the global Magnitsky movement?

Australia should enact a world-leading law to apply targeted sanctions to perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption, according to this report. The report follows a wide-ranging inquiry which commenced in 2019, and incorporates submissions from over 160 individuals and organisations from around the...