Research

There is a strong need and broad public support for a federal anti-corruption commission with public hearings.Of the state commissions already established in Australia, NSW ICAC has been markedly successful in carrying out its legislated mission and provides a fair model for emulation, with refinement and adaptation, at the federal level.Premier Nick Greiner outlined in 1988 that NSW ICAC would only be effective with the powers of a Royal Commiss...

There is a compelling case for a federal integrity commission: there is strong public support for such a body, and there is evidence that corruption is endemic in our federal public service, with 3000 cases being reported by the public service’s own survey.State-based anti-corruption bodies have found corruption in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, and there is no reason it will not be found in Canberra once a federal integrity commission is...

Corrupt conduct has always been part of human society, and has caused the downfall of empires and societies including the Romans and the Ottomans. It erodes public trust in government and encourages citizens to also act unethically. We must remain absolutely intolerant of public corruption.It is wishful thinking that corruption is endemic in New South Wales (NSW) but not in other states or at a federal level. It is true that those who combat corr...

Transparency International Australia’s position remains that a broad-based federal anti-corruption agency is needed, as part of an enhanced multi-agency strategy – especially to ensure a comprehensive approach to corruption risks beyond the criminal investigation system, and support stronger parliamentary integrity.

No federal agency has the investigative powers or jurisdiction to expose corrupt conduct in the federal government and public sector.A federal anti-corruption commission would fill the gaps in our integrity system and increase public trust in government. No federal agency has the investigative powers or jurisdiction to expose corrupt conduct in the federal government and public sector. Every state in Australia has an anti-corruption commission th...

The Palaszczuk government’s special royalty deal with Adani remains secret after Treasury blocked a Right to Information request. 2000 pages relating to the ‘clear’ and ‘transparent’ royalty framework were almost entirely redacted. Public servants expressed concerns about analysing the deal after it has been offered. The Queensland Treasury has refused to release the royalty subsidy deal with Adani, requested under Right to Information (RTI). The...

Attempts to develop northern Australia by subsidising capital-intensive industries like irrigated agriculture have a long and unimpressive history. An example is the Ord River Scheme which currently supports just 260 jobs despite $2 billion spent and decades of effort. Different approaches are needed if northern development is to be sustainable and equitable in the 21st Century. [Full report see PDF below]

The Australia Institute released a report Electricity Costs which finds that electricity prices have increased at three times the rate of CPI. The report finds that companies have been ‘gold-plating’ financial assets and passing those costs onto consumers.Between December 1996 and December 2016 Australian electricity prices increased by 183 per cent—almost three times the overall increase in prices. Figure 1: Electricity prices com...

This report examines the effectiveness of a national integrity commission without the ability to hold public hearings.80 per cent of Australians support establishing a national integrity commission, and 78 per cent support establishing one with public hearings.Evidence from Australian state based anti-corruption commissions show that the ability to hold public hearings have been critical to their success. Bodies that have regular public hearings...