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...
by jmsthornton | Jan 4, 2016 | Corruption, Federal Government, McMullan Principle, Ministerial Responsibility, News, Reforms, Rule of Law
A number of people are very concerned at the undermining of judicial independence that is the effect of the new terrorism laws, including Spencer Zifcak. Spencer Zifcak is a member of ART, as well as Allan Myers Professor of Law and Director of Research at the Academy...
by jmsthornton | Dec 28, 2015 | News
The Accountability Round Table mourns the passing of The Honorable Jim Carlton, AO. Jim died suddenly on Christmas Eve, after spending the day with his family. Jim was a vigorous and engaged director of the Accountability Round Table, constant in fighting for...
by jmsthornton | Dec 2, 2015 | Auditor General, IBAC, News, Victoria, Victorian Government Integrity System Reform
In a move long awaited by ART, the Government announced on 29 November 2015 that Victorian IBAC watchdog is finally to get the necessary teeth to investigate MPs, judges and public servants with legislation to be presented in the December sittings. ART members have...
by jmsthornton | Nov 9, 2015 | Federal Government, Governance, News, Public Trust
Barry Jones, a longstanding member of Accountability Round Table has written two papers on the state of democracy in Australia from two different perspectives. These provide a context for openness and accountability in Australian government and public institutions....
by jmsthornton | Nov 3, 2015 | News
Here are audio files of the three speakers at the recent “Buying power” ICAN event on the many negative effects of political donations on political decision making. Mr Royce Millar is a Fairfax investigative journalist with a special interest in public...