Home
  • About
    • Philosophy and our goals
    • Governance
    • Organisational structure
    • Patrons
    • Our Impact
    • Tasmania
    • Jobs
    • Search
    • Annual reports
  • Research
    • Research Papers
    • Sort by Author
    • Submissions
    • National Energy Emissions Audit
    • Community Resources
    • Climate & Energy Program
    • Accountability Project
  • In the News
    • Media Releases
    • Infographics
    • Opinion
    • Podcast
    • Videos
    • Our blog
    • Petitions
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Subscribe
  • Donate
    • Make a one off donation
    • Make a regular donation

Public hearings key to tackling corruption and public trust

New research released today by the Australia Institute shows that the perception of corruption in Australia will continue to rise while allegations of corruption are either not investigated or are investigated entirely behind closed doors.

The report coincides with the release of the latest Transparency International Global Corruption Index which reveals Australia has again slid down the rankings.

The report, Out in the Open [See PDF below], finds that:

  • No standing national integrity agency has ever held a public investigation into allegations of corruption
  • No standing national integrity agency has the jurisdiction to investigate misconduct of parliamentarians and Ministers
  • Ongoing scandals either investigated in private, or not at all, including allegations that:
  • Defence Department staffers colluded with contracting companies to design well-paid jobs for them, and the Department awarded contracts to companies without a competitive tender process;
  • The Department of Agriculture and Water paid double the ABARE recommended value for water buy backs in the Murray Darling Basin;
  • An Australian businessman was approached by a Chinese broker who offered the Liberal Party up to $2 million in donations to assist a Chinese company to purchase a mining interest in Australia, the donation to be paid into offshore accounts;
  • Public inquiries increase public trust, with a poll showing 85 per cent thought a federal corruption watchdog with public hearings would increase public trust

“Too many allegations of public sector corruption are falling through the gaps of our Swiss cheese integrity system,” Accountability Project Officer at the Australia Institute, Hannah Aulby said.

“It is no wonder that the perception of corruption continues to rise, as the public sees scandal after scandal not being properly investigated in public view.”

“The only outcome worse than a failure to establish a national anti-corruption body would be the creation of poorly designed anti-corruption body with insufficient powers and no ability to hold public hearings. This would erode public trust further,” Aulby said

Hon Stephen Charles AO QC, former judge of the Victorian Court of Appeal and member of the National Integrity Committee added, “The public has a right to know that investigations into public sector corruption allegations are being conducted fairly and in the public interest. This can only be done with public hearings,”

“The growing perception of corruption must be tackled by a federal corruption watchdog with the ability to expose investigations to the public through public hearings. Only then will we begin to rebuild public trust,” Mr Charles said.

The National Integrity Committee’s design principles include the need for a federal corruption commission to be an independent and well-resourced agency, with a broad jurisdiction and the strong investigative powers of a Royal Commission, including the ability to hold public hearings.

Type of Publication: 
Research
Media Releases
Section: 
Government and Accountability
Tags: 
accountability

Download Publication: 
PDF icon P497 Out in the open.pdf

Author: 
Hannah Aulby
Posted on:
22 February 2018

>> Share this Page

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

.

The Australia Institute is the country’s most influential progressive think tank. We conduct research on a broad range of economic, social and environmental issues in order to inform public debate and bring greater accountability to the democratic process.

Sitemap:

  • About
  • Philosophy and our goals
  • Research
  • Opinion Pieces
  • In the News
  • Media Releases
  • Make a one off donation
  • Make a regular donation
  • Contact
  • Governance
  • Join mailing list

Other Initiatives

  • Centre for Future Work
  • The Australia Institute Tasmania
  • No New Coal Mines
  • Go Home On Time Day
  • Climate & Energy Program
  • The Australia Institute acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Australians and recognise their culture, history, diversity and their deep connection to the land.

    The team at The Australia Institute acknowledges that the Australian Capital Territory is Ngunnawal Country and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

  • Copyright The Australia Institute |
  • RSS feed |
  • Website Privacy Policy