What comes next? The possible criminal and civil fallout from robo-debt

The robo-debt scandal in Australia might bring about criminal prosecutions for abuse of public office, recommendations from the national corruption watchdog, and disciplinary measures by professional entities, according to legal specialists. The robo-debt royal commission, chaired by former Queensland chief justice Catherine Holmes, SC, uncovered severe misconduct by past Coalition ministers and bureaucrats in a… Read More

Corruption watchdog referrals skyrocket since launch

Australia’s federal anti-corruption watchdog has witnessed a significant increase in its referrals, garnering over 300 since its recent debut. As of Monday, National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton noted that 44 of these came via their online system, a number which quickly rose to 186 online submissions and 116 phone calls by Wednesday. A significant portion,… Read More

Corruption watchdog referrals skyrocket since launch

Since its recent launch, the federal anti-corruption watchdog has received over 300 referrals. National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton revealed that 44 of these were obtained via their online system, with the current figures standing at 186 online submissions and 116 phone referrals. Notably, around 60 pertained to issues already highlighted in the media. The Centre… Read More

Pork-barrelling should be banned under ministerial code: ex-ICAC boss

Summary: Call for Pork-Barrelling Ban in Federal Ministerial Code of Conduct Peter Hall, former chief of the NSW corruption watchdog, advocates for a ban on pork-barrelling in the federal Ministerial Code of Conduct, arguing that it can equate to criminal conduct when public funds are allocated for party-political gain. This push is part of the… Read More

Crossbench concerns over narrow scope of national anti-corruption body

Days out from the likely release of the federal government’s anti-corruption bill, some key crossbenchers are raising concerns it might not be given the level of power they are looking for. Federal parliament will resume next week after a fortnight’s delay due to the death of the Queen, and the government will use the sitting… Read More

‘Unresolved’: Crossbenchers declare sticking points with Labor’s corruption watchdog

Crossbench MPs have declared there are still major sticking points with the federal government’s proposal for a national corruption watchdog as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tries to avoid breaking a key election promise to legislate the body by the end of the year. The crossbench MPs are worried Labor’s integrity commission will not be broad… Read More

Albanese pushed to pass ‘urgent’ integrity reforms after Queen’s death delays

Independent MPs are urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to honour his election pledge to pass laws this year to create a national integrity commission amid growing fears he will miss the deadline and deliver a weaker watchdog than they want. Concern at the delay has spread among crossbench MPs after the government suspended Parliament to… Read More

MPs contradict Morrison on federal ICAC

Written by Finbarr O’Mallon on April 15 2022. Originally published in the Northern Beaches Review. Government frontbenchers have tried to walk back the prime minister’s lack of commitment to establishing a federal corruption watchdog if he wins next month’s election. Scott Morrison this week backflipped on a 2019 election promise to establish a federal anti-corruption… Read More

Labor: Corruption watchdog ‘overdue’

Written by Tess Ikonomou. Originally published in the Northern Beaches Review on APRIL 14 2022 A vote for Labor will be a vote for a “long overdue” national anti-corruption watchdog, the party’s election campaign spokesman says. Jason Clare criticised Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday afternoon over his refusal to commit to establishing a commission.… Read More