Published by the ABC on the 21st of September. The Federal Government bought land from a billionaire family at 10 times its market value in a “significant and unusual transaction” linked to the development of Western Sydney Airport, according to the Australian National Audit Office. The 12-hectare pocket of land was bought by the Commonwealth… Read More
ABC: Lawyer X prosecutions doubtful due to lack of resources for ‘mammoth task’, Victorian anti-corruption body IBAC says
Originally published on the 18th of September by Sarah Farnsworth at the ABC Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog has expressed serious doubt about whether any criminal charges will flow from the Lawyer X scandal. The royal commission into the scandal is considering whether individual police officers have committed criminal offences by using gangland barrister Nicola Gobbo against… Read More
Why Australia needs a National Integrity Commission
Major investigation exposes the shady dealings of Liberal power broker 60 Minutes Australia
Originally published on the 23rd of August by 9Now.
Victorian Government offers compromise on state of emergency, crossbench MP says
By the ABC, originally posted on the 27th of August. A key crossbench MP says the State Government has approached her with a compromise proposal which would allow the state of emergency to be extended by a further six months, rather than a year as originally proposed. Key points: Reason Party leader Fiona Patten said… Read More
How branch stacking drags policy to the right
By Mike Seccombe, originally published in the Saturday Paper 29th August 2020. “Kevin Andrews under pressure to quit over branch stacking allegations”. It’s a headline that could have appeared this week on a story about the Christian right’s efforts to seize power within the Victorian branch of the Liberal Party, except it didn’t. It actually… Read More
Branch stacking and a National Integrity Commission
Interview with Geoffrey Watson SC by Rafael Epstein, ABC Radio Melbourne Drive. Monday 24th August 2020. Link here
Opinion: We care, Treasurer, and that’s why we insist on integrity with icare
By Anthony Whealy, originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 7th August 2020. In the midst of a dangerous pandemic we are beset by concerns for our health and the welfare of our families. In this environment it has been easy to lose focus on other issues that in normal times might concern us… Read More
Unchecked executive power needs to be reined in – former judge
Media release 10 July 2020. Individual Ministers are bypassing Parliament and making major policy decisions, according to a new submission from the Centre for Public Integrity published today. The submission finds: The response to COVID-19 has concentrated executive power Major decisions of policy and spending are being determined by individual Ministers, bypassing Parliament via delegated… Read More
$150 million sports grants program implemented before guidelines in place
By Andrew Probyn, originally broadcast on 7.30 Report on 22nd July 2020. ANDREW PROBYN, POLITICAL EDITOR: Torquay, on Victoria’s rugged coast, has seen many a ding-dong battle. (Vision of a surfing competition at Bells Beach) Bells Beach, not far from Torquay, has some of the world’s most challenging surf – a fact celebrated in celluloid.… Read More