Before the last election in 2022, the Labor opposition promised to establish an integrity commission that would have a broad jurisdiction and strong investigative powers including the capacity to hold public hearings when it was in the public interest to do so. (more…)
Stephen Charles
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The Voice and Australia’s democracy crisis
The dire state of truth in Australia’s civic space crystallised in 2023. We had seen the waning influence of News Corp’s impact on our elections and assumed it meant that enough of us were becoming inoculated against the propaganda. The defeat of the notoriously mendacious Coalition government might have signalled a ceasefire, a moment for the “conservative” parties to rediscover their integrity. We had underestimated, however, the strategising of vested interests. (more…)
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Only parliaments are able to set up integrity bodies, but politicians hate and fear them
The Victorian government has just acted to ensure that the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) is neutered by a subtle gambit in the crafting of the advertisement seeking applicants for the position of Commissioner. (more…)
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Strengthening IBAC must be Victorian government’s priority
Victoria’s integrity body, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), is a deeply flawed institution. It has been hobbled by the Liberal government that created it and in the too-limited reforms implemented by the Labor government that followed. It is clear that both major parties have been reluctant to give the body the teeth it requires to be effective. New Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan must approach reforming the body with an open mind if she is to begin rebuilding trust in the government’s integrity. (more…)
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The NACC Bill: Public hearings crucial to integrity
While the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Bill is a major achievement, there are some blemishes. Public hearings are a crucial mechanism in promoting integrity and investigating and exposing corruption and should not be limited.
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The prime minister’s attack on the NSW ICAC is wholly unjustified
The Coalition’s proposal for a national integrity commission shows an arrogant and contemptuous disdain for community demands such a body.
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The trials of Bernard Collaery and Witness K
Australia’s bugging of Timor-Leste’s Cabinet rooms and subsequent hounding of Bernard Collaery and a former intelligence officer was a display of mendacity, duplicity, fraud, criminal trespass and contempt of international law. (more…)
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A strong federal integrity commission requires public hearings
The Coalition parliamentarians who don’t want a federal integrity commission to hold public hearings are among the very people that should be required to answer questions from an integrity commission.
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Even a brown paper bag filled with cash may not be enough to start an investigation
The recent release of Australian Electoral Commission political donation figures has put the lack of transparency back in the spotlight. This issue is also behind the push for a federal integrity commission. But the Coalition government, which is by far the largest recipient of political donations, has no intention of reforming the system and is pushing for a toothless integrity commission on purpose.
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Porter’s integrity commission is designed to trick the public into thinking the Coalition is serious about tackling corruption
Mr Porter’s proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission, in the public sector division, will not be able to investigate supposed corruption, won’t discover any corruption, and will certainly not expose any. (more…)
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Australia must have a strong corruption watchdog, but the Coalition shows little interest.
It is now obvious that Australia needs, and most of the community is demanding, a strong national integrity commission. Not, however, the Coalition.