Freedom of Information? Not so free now – Part 2. ART and the Audit of the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982
The Accountability Round Table continues to be concerned about the reduced state of the Federal Freedom of Information Act and its implementation. The role of the freedom of information Commissioner remains vacant and has been vacant for some 22 months. The submission...
Political Donations. ART submissions to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters 2a. Ken Coghill submission
POLITICAL FUNDING and PARTY RULES Following on from our JSCEM submission on political donations by Colleen Lewis, this post reproduces Ken Coghill's submission 48 to JSCEM, also on political funding and donations to parties. Accountability Round Table has made two...
Cairns Tropical Writers Festival – Tim Smith on “Democracy at the Crossroads?”
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 "Public...
Election 2016 – Political campaign finance reform
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...
Vale The Hon Jim Carlton, AO, ART director
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...
Invitation to the Jim Carlton Memorial Lecture 16 Nov 2016
Integrity in Public Life: The Jim Carlton Memorial Lecture Accountability: Do programs work? (and how can we find out?) Through a glass darkly .... This is the question the Hon Peter Baume will address in his Jim Carlton Memorial Lecture, jointly hosted by the Centre...
Political Donations. ART submissions to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters 1. Colleen Lewis submission
POLITICAL FUNDING - THE KEY CHANGES NEEDED Accountability Round Table has made two submissions to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters' inquiry into the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016. This standing committee inquiry is a regular occurrence...
ART launches 2016 election platforms
The Accountability Round Table today (Tues 14 June) asked political parties and candidates to commit to measures to improve the integrity and accountability of government. Chair of ART, Tim Smith QC, former Supreme Court Judge said The Commonwealth Government...
Rule of Law – Undermined
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...
IBAC to get beefed-up powers
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...