by jmsthornton | Oct 19, 2016 | Federal Government, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Peter Timmins’ most recent post to the Open Government Partnership civil society network page reveals that the Australian Government will commit to a series of reforms to accountability and transparency before the end of 2016. The OGP Civil Society page can be...
by jmsthornton | Oct 19, 2016 | Federal Government, Freedom of Information, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
The Accountability Round Table has long been concerned about the reduced state of the Federal Freedom of Information Act and its implementation. The submission below, and its covering letter addresses part of our concern in drawing attention to the administration of...
by jmsthornton | Oct 19, 2016 | Corruption, Federal Government, Ministerial Responsibility, National Integrity Commission, Submissions
On 24 February 2016, the Senate resolved to establish a Select Committee on the establishment of a National Integrity Commission. This Select Committee was established to inquire into whether a national integrity commission should be established to address...
by jmsthornton | Aug 19, 2016 | Code of Conduct, Federal Government, Fitzgerald Principles, Freedom of Information, Lobbying, News, Open Government Partnership (OGP), Public Trust, Queensland, Queensland Crime Commissions, Reforms
This paper, “Democracy at the Crossroads?” was delivered by Hon Tim Smith QC at the Cairn’s Tropical Writers Festival, 11 August 2016. In it, he sets out two broad principles to which members of parliament should adhere, The “Fitzgerald Principles” and The...
by jmsthornton | Jun 14, 2016 | Election 2016, Federal Government, Freedom of Information, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
The OAIC – The effect of the Government 2016-7 Budget An ART background paper to the election commitments sought by ART from all parties prior to the the July 2nd Federal Election June 2016 Introduction Over the last two years the Government failed in its attempt to...
by jmsthornton | Jun 12, 2016 | Election, Election 2016, Federal Government, News
The public office, public, trust principle Parties are like football clubs – no matter how much money they get, they will spend it and then want more. Former Victorian Premier, John Cain, Oct 2006 Australia’s federal electoral system has few constraints on donations...
