By Peter Hartcher, originally published by SMH on the 16th of February 2021. You could be forgiven for thinking that the Bergin report that damned Crown casinos last week was only about greed and crime. It was not. It’s bad enough that Crown casinos effectively had become bankers to some of the world’s worst crime… Read More
Critics blame ‘sickening’ rules after hidden political donations worth $1 billion are revealed
By Tom Stayner, originally published by SBS on the 1st of February 2021. Critics are calling for an overhaul of Australia’s electoral finance laws after a new analysis revealed political parties had pocketed more than $1 billion in “hidden donations” over the past two decades. The Centre for Public Integrity has warned that a creeping trend towards… Read More
Major political donors data revealed
Originally published by ABC 7:30 The Australian Electoral Commission has released its annual disclosure on who is behind the biggest political donations
Media release: 46% of 2019-20 donations came from just 5 donors: AEC disclosure
February 1 2021 The most recent AEC donations disclosures confirm the need for urgent reform of ourpolitical finance system. The data shows that big donors are dominating the funding ofour political parties, with 46% of all donations coming from just 5 donors. Total donations 2019 – 2020 $18,020,970 Biggest donors Mineralogy $5,910,341 Pratt Holdings $1,550,000… Read More
IBAC uncovers alleged bribery by rail executives in Victoria
Originally published on 7.30 Report on 5th January 2021. Interview with Stephen Charles https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/ibac-uncovers-alleged-bribery-by-rail-executives/13034632
Law reformer and ICAC commissioner tackled corruption head on
By Keith Mason and Geoffrey Watson, originally published on the 22nd of December. DAVID IPP: 1938 – 2020 David Ipp was a jurist, law reformer and corruption fighter whose term as Commissioner at ICAC was explosive. Under his guidance ICAC opened inquiries into some of the worst corruption in NSW history. He led an inquiry… Read More
Audit office ‘critical’ to democracy: Former judge backs call for funds
By Sally Whyte, originally published in the Canberra Times 30 September.Funding cuts to the Australian National Audit Office threaten the integrity of the country’s democracy, a top former judge says. Anthony Whealy QC, who served as a justice of the Supreme Court of NSW and an assistant commissioner for the Independent Commission Against Corruption in… Read More
Why Australia needs a National Integrity Commission
Program released for National Integrity Forum: Strangling Accountability
The National Integrity Forum: Strangling Accountability will be held on 19 March at the University of Sydney Law School. Speakers include: The Hon Mary Gaudron QC on secret government The Hon Marilyn Warren AC on the judiciary Professor John McMillan AO on the Ombudsman Tony Harris on the Auditor General Richard Beasley SC on Royal… Read More