ART awards for 47th Parliament
Independent members of Federal Parliament, and their commitment to integrity and accountability, have been recognised in the awards made by the Accountability Round Table. The awards honour the late Senator John Button, for outstanding commitment by a Minister...
ART Backs IBAC Commissioner criticisms of her legislation
Victoria needs stronger integrity powers now! The Accountability Round Table has backed the IBAC Commissioner’s call for stronger powers, warning that Victoria’s integrity system is failing to keep pace with the reality of modern public decision making. ART Chair...
John Hewson says sack the NACC
ART Board member and Former Liberal leader, John Hewson says after two years the National Anti-Corruption Commission has failed in its mission to properly investigate allegations of systemic corruption. Hewson takes issue with the lack of action over things like...
Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill Inquiry
This ART submission addresses the issue of what should be the remit of a new Whistleblower Protection Authority.
The Bill in question is a private members Bill put forward by David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie. Our submission addresses strengths and shortcomings of that Bill
A post-election review of accountability
The Albanese Government signed off on a code of conduct for ministers in 2022 saying it was committed to integrity, honesty and accountability and would act in a manner consistent with the highest ethical standards. It would also have due regard for...
Vale The Hon. Thomas (Tim) Harrison Smith AM 5.8.1940 – 8.6.2025
Accountability Round Table is deeply saddened by the passing of its founder, Tim Smith. His tireless commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in government and to the precept that “public office is a public trust” set the...
Vale The Hon. Stephen Pendrill Charles AO KCC, 21.7.1937-13.6.2025
Accountability Round Table is greatly saddened to have lost its former director, Stephen Charles. Stephen was a tireless warrior for government accountability. Working with both Accountability Round Table and the Centre for Public Policy, he made immense...
Vale The Hon. Dr Race Mathews, 27.3.1935 – 5.5.2025
Race Mathews was a giant force in public life. He was Gough Whitlam's private secretary while Whitlam was in opposition in Federal Parliament. During that period he was instrumental in the development of the ALP policy of Medicare which had started life as a...
Justice Pritchard’s Jim Carlton Lecture – Prerogative Pardons and the Rule of Law
In light of President Trump’s pardons of friends, associates and political allies, and President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, it has been observed that in a Presidential system there can occasionally, or indeed frequently, be an overreach of executive...
The 2025 Federal Election
Our message to candidates and voters is this: members of parliament should always act in the interests of their constituents and the nation Parliament must hold Government to account reform is urgently needed in accessing information, campaign financing, lobbying, and...