The Centre for Public Integrity conducts detailed research into the undue influence of money in politics.

The weaknesses in Australia’s political donations and lobbying regulations are potentially allowing the buying of political influence. Large corporations had an undue influence on the 2019 federal election. Necessary reforms include transparent and timely disclosure of political donations, caps on political donations and campaign spending, expansion and enforcement of the lobbyist register, and stronger post-separation employment restrictions for parliamentarians and senior public officials.

You can read some of our latest research on donations below:

 

    Statement by former NSW ICAC Chief Commissioner the Hon Peter Hall KC on pork barrelling 17th March 2023

    … existing legal mechanisms that are intended to protect the public interest have failed to prevent the occurrence of pork barrelling

    Members of the Money in Politics research committee are:

     

    • Michael Barker QC, former judge of the Federal Court of Australia
    • Anthony Whealy QC, former judge of the NSW Court of Appeal
    • Professor Joo Cheong Tham, University of Melbourne Law School
    • Tim Storer, former independent Senator for South Australia