Truth is fundamental to democracy. When citizens cannot tell fact from fiction and leaders spread falsehoods for political advantage, society as a whole is damaged. Read More
A life dedicated to the law and justice, without fear or favour
This interview with our committee member Nicholas Cowdrey AO QC by Peter Fitzsimmons was published in The Sydney Morning Herald on July 3 2022. Nicholas Richard Cowdery AO, QC, is the longest-serving director of public prosecutions in Australian history, having served in the role for NSW from 1994-2011. I talked to him on Friday morning.… Read More
The minister and the lobbyist: Blandthorn siblings face conflict questions
Premier Daniel Andrews’ appointment of new Planning Minister Lizzie Blandthorn has raised conflict-of-interest questions due to her lobbyist brother representing major development, construction and infrastructure clients. In an appointment that has unsettled some senior government and Labor insiders, the premier named Pascoe Vale MP Blandthorn to the sensitive planning role. Her brother, John-Paul Blandthorn, heads… Read More
Scrutiny to drop: Auditor-General appeals to Prime Minister for funding certainty
By Sally Whyte, originally published by the Canberra Times on the 30th of September. Auditor-General Grant Hehir has written to the Prime Minister about his office’s funding. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos The Auditor-General has appealed directly to Prime Minister Scott Morrison over his office’s funding, and has warned scrutiny of government decision-making will drop without an… Read More