Shutting the trough

It’s time to take the pork off the table. Better processes and oversight of grant funding would help safeguard the public interest from political self-interest.

Politics fast and slow

The slow drip of bad news from inquiries into corruption at the heart of NSW politics is frustrating the Premier’s attempts to control the political agenda before the next state election.

Restoring faith in pubic appointments

Handpicked political appointments to public institutions and plum jobs have undermined public faith in the system, and cost several high powered people their jobs in recent times.

Jobs for the boys

A new Grattan Institute report shows that political appointments are common at state and federal levels and reveals the costs all Australians bear when governments choose mates over merit.

Watching the watchdogs

Many current COVID-19 recovery plans are not compatible with the Paris Agreement on climate change and will have long-term health implications, according to a global report featuring Australian authors.

A question of integrity

Are anti-corruption commissions, and their role in rooting out political wrong-doing, set to come under new attack in Australia?

Public servants shy from blowing the whistle

A researcher from The University of Western Australia has found government employees are most likely to stay silent despite witnessing workplace corruption in the Australian Public Service.

Reducing corruption in construction will save lives

Tackling corruption could help alleviate the scale of crises and its impact on vulnerable people, says international construction management and economics expert Professor George Ofori.

Corporate criminal liability remains complex, unruly and uncertain

The complexity surrounding criminal liability of corporations needs to be clarified with reforms say UNSW Law observers.

Understanding the new Commonwealth Integrity Commission

Australia has come a significant step closer to forming a federal anti-corruption agency, when federal Attorney-General Christian Porter released draft legislation designed to set up a Commonwealth Integrity Commission (CIC).

Less barking, more bite

UNSW’s Dr Mark Rolfe supports the independent funding model proposed by ICAC for a national anti-corruption body.

The long history of scandal in NSW

Berejiklian is hardly the first NSW politician to become enmeshed in scandal. Corruption has been ingrained in the state’s political culture since its creation, and is why the Independent Commission Against Corruption remains a vital watchdog over the inner workings of its government.