By Royca Kurmelovs originally published on the 23rd of JanuaryNew analysis of political donations given in Australia over the past two decades has laid bare the extent to which the resources sector has sought to dominate the nation’s politics. The report by the Centre for Public Integrity (CPI), released this week, crunched the numbers on… Read More
Lax approach to political donations reeks of self-interest
Originally published by The Age on the 18th of January. Five years ago, in an influential case involving limits around donations to political parties, the High Court of Australia proffered a convincing assessment of how money can drive powerful outcomes. “Although there might be favours without payment and payment without favours, the basic human tendency… Read More
New calls for an overhaul of Australia’s political donation laws amid concern about influence
By Tom Staynor originally published on SBS, 18th of January It comes as new analysis finds the resources sector to have been the biggest donor in Australian politics over the past two decades, handing over $136.8 million. There are renewed calls to overhaul political donation rules to prevent big sectors and corporations from exerting influence… Read More
‘Highly problematic for public trust’: Australian political donations revealed
By David Crowe, originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 18th January 2021. A surge in donations at the last federal election has taken the resource industry’s political payments to $136.8 million over two decades and a new analysis has named the sector as the biggest donor in Australian politics. Mining and gas companies… Read More
Resources industry donated $136 million over 20 years
Media release 18 January 2021 New analysis of 20 years of AEC donation disclosures shows the resources industry is the largest donating industry to Australia’s political parties and campaigners. The research from the Centre for Public Integrity shows: The resources industry is the largest donating industry, making contributions 2.5 times greater than the property industry,… Read More
Tribute to David Ipp
On 8 October 2020 David Ipp passed away at the age of 82. David was a great Australian. He was a national leader as a judge, a law reformer and a corruption fighter. His death is a grievous loss to the country and also to The Centre for Public Integrity. Born and educated in South… Read More
The role of business lobbyists in political election campaigns is raising questions for integrity watchers
By Dan Conifer, originally published on 26 November. Politicians hold a lot of power and behind them there are backroom advisors who escape the spotlight. But when those campaign operators also act as political lobbyists, questions are asked about the appearance of conflicts of interest. Tonight 7.30 looks behind the Queensland election campaign and the… Read More
‘A feather duster’: Critics say draft laws for national corruption watchdog fall short
By David Crowe, originally published on November 2nd 2020. A clash in Parliament is set to decide the powers of a new federal corruption watchdog after the Morrison government released draft laws that fall short of calls for public hearings into political scandals. Attorney-General Christian Porter launched six months of public consultation on Monday by… Read More
Commonwealth Integrity Commission legislation makes it easier for politicians to hide
By Harley Dennett, originally published by the Canberra Times on 19 November 2020. Federal politicians and their inner circles will have even more scope to hide from scrutiny according to legal analysis of the proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission. New secrecy provisions prohibit the commissioners from reporting on any evidence, findings or recommendations relating to parliamentarians… Read More
Anti-corruption bodies are supposed to ‘expose corruption publicly’
Originally published by Sky News on 3 November 2020. Former Assistant Commissioner to the NSW ICAC Anthony Whealy QC says the whole role of an anti-corruption body like the proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission is to uncover corruption and “expose it publicly”. It comes as Attorney-General Christian Porter unveiled the Morrison government’s plan for the integrity… Read More