Originally published on October 7 2021 and written by Michelle Grattan in the Conversation Those critiquing the dramatic fall of Gladys Berejiklian, who resigned when the Independent Commission Against Corruption announced it was investigating the probity of her conduct, have divided into two camps. Some cast ICAC as the ogre that’s brought down a good… Read More

By Centre for Public Integrity Board Director Stephen Charles AO QC. Originally presented as a speech in our webinar with Bernard and then published in Pearls and Irritations on October 20 2021. Australia’s bugging of Timor-Leste’s Cabinet rooms and subsequent hounding of Bernard Collaery and a former intelligence officer was a display of mendacity, duplicity,… Read More

Written by Centre for Public Integrity Board Member Stephen Charles AO QC for Pearls and Irritations on Oct 12 2021 The Coalition parliamentarians who don’t want a federal integrity commission to hold public hearings are among the very people that should be required to answer questions from an integrity commission.. NSW’s Independent Commission Against Corruption… Read More

Written by Stephen Rice in the Australian October 3 2021 The NSW anti-corruption watchdog faces a determined push to curb its powers, following its decision to investigate Gladys Berejiklian over whether she allowed or encouraged her former boyfriend Daryl Maguire to engage in corrupt activity. As the fallout continues from the premier’s resignation, NSW Health… Read More

Written by Jackson Graham Wednesday October 6, 2021 in the Mandarin The federal government’s plans for a Commonwealth Integrity Commission would create “the weakest watchdog in the country”, according to a think tank dedicated to integrity in public offices.  Attorney-general Michaelia Cash is set to introduce the government’s proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission bill into parliament… Read More

Written by David Crowe. Originally published in the Age October 6 2021 The new federal agency meant to crack down on corruption has been blasted as the “weakest watchdog” in the country after an independent analysis found it would not have enough power to investigate major scandals over the misuse of public money. The first… Read More

Written by Christopher Knaus. Originally published in the Guardian 5 October 2021 Stephen Charles says he has lost all hope the Coalition is serious about introducing a strong federal anti-corruption commission Former senior judge Stephen Charles has criticised Barnaby Joyce for likening the New South Wales anti-corruption watchdog to the “Spanish Inquisition”, saying the deputy… Read More

Written by David Crowe. Published in the Age October 4 2021 A federal pledge to combat corruption is heading for an impasse in the Senate as Liberals rethink whether to vote for sweeping new powers for a national integrity commission after the sudden resignation of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Liberal backbenchers are warning against giving… Read More

Written by Tom McIlroy, originally published in the Australian Financial Review on Oct 4, 2021 Australia’s lax lobbying regulations fall short of OECD standards and should be extended to include in-house government relations advisers and tougher enforcement, a new report says. The Centre for Public Integrity review found changes recommended by the Commonwealth Auditor-General to… Read More

Written by Christopher Knauss. Originally published in the Guardian on October 2 The premier’s anger was palpable, her target familiar. Like so many politicians before her, Gladys Berejiklian laid the blame for her untimely demise squarely at the feet of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. She accused it of pursuing her over “historic matters” that… Read More