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
Risks of new rules ‘400 times greater than sports rorts’, think-tank warns
By Katie Burgess, originally published in the Canberra Times 10 July 2020. Transparency advocates have raised fears about the growing concentration of ministerial power during the coronavirus pandemic, with large amounts of money being spent in a short period of time with little oversight or accountability. Full article here.
Federal Parliament prepares for virtual sittings in case of further COVID outbreak
By Rob Harris, originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald 6th July 2020. Federal Parliament could be able to sit virtually by the time it returns in August, with detailed planning under way to allow MPs and senators to speak and vote in both chambers without physically being in Canberra. Parliamentary officials have been working… Read More
Branch-stacking and sports rorts scandals call for national anti-corruption watchdog with teeth
Opinion piece by Stephen Charles, originally published in the Guardian 19th June 2020. The government’s proposed commonwealth integrity commission will be ‘the weakest and most ineffective such body in this country’ This week’s allegations of systemic branch-stacking and misuse of public money again show the urgent need for stronger anti-corruption measures – not only in… Read More
Election funding furore over ‘backdoor’ donations
By David Crowe, originally published in SMH on 17 June 2020. A crossbench coalition will try to stop a looming change to electoral law out of concern it could blur the lines between state and federal donations and skirt new controls on who can bankroll the major political parties. The move aims to force a… Read More
Somyurek quits Labor after being sacked as Victorian Minister amidst corruption allegations
Interview with Stephen Charles AO QC on ABC PM by Rhett Burnie on 15 June 2020. The Labor Party is in turmoil over claims of corruption in the party’s Victorian right faction. Premier Daniel Andrews moved quickly this morning to sack Adem Somyurek from the ministry and he’s also now out of the Labor party… Read More
Media release: Somyurek scandals shows need for a National Integrity Commission and a stronger IBAC
The Centre for Public Integrity is today calling for stronger corruption investigation capacity in Victoria and federally, in response to the revelations involving branch stacking by former Victorian Minister Adem Somyurek. “The revelations involving Adem Somyurek highlight the need for stronger corruption investigation capacity at a state and federal level,” said Geoffrey Watson SC. “Victoria’s… Read More
‘Who’s going to protect Albo’: Tapes show how powerbroker controls ALP
By Nick McKenzie, Joel Tozer, and Sumeyya Ilanbey, originally published in the Age 15 June 2020. A Victorian Labor Party powerbroker has threatened to end the careers of several federal MPs, while also claiming to be “protecting” Anthony Byrne, deputy chair of the Australian Parliament’s powerful intelligence committee. Secret footage shows MP Adem Somyurek handing… Read More
Cabinet ministers charge taxpayers for trip involving Liberal party fundraiser
By Christopher Knaus, originally published in the Guardian 15 June 2020. Three cabinet ministers charged taxpayers more than $4,500 for an overnight trip to Sydney during which they mingled with mining and banking donors at a lucrative Liberal party fundraiser hosted by Channel Nine. Stuart Robert, Dan Tehan and Simon Birmingham flew into Sydney on… Read More