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...
Barry Jones on Democracy in Australia – Two Papers
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....
“Buying Power” – Audio of the ICAN event
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 policy and...
The Justification of George Brandis to the International Commission of Jurists on OAIC
George Brandis may not have answered our letter to him concerning the defunding of the OAIC with anything other than the justification of efficiency, arguing that abolition of the OAIC is "consistent with its policy to reduce the size of government and streamline the...
Do we have a corruption problem in Victoria?
Recently ART has written to the Special Minister of State, the Hon. Gavin Jennings, to explore the question, "Do we have a corruption problem in Victoria?" This question has not been explored for some time. Corruption is an ever present threat, especially where large...
Abolition of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
ART is very concerned that Freedom of Information (FOI) provisions at the Federal level are under threat and a dangerous precedent subverting the Senate's constitutional position may be being set. We have previously made a submission to the Senate Committee...
NSW Election. Call for Party promises to deliver ethical, accountable and transparent governance
The New South Wales election on 28th of March is another opportunity to advance the transparency and accountability of government. The Accountability Round Table has sought from parties contesting the recent Victorian and Queensland elections, assurances concerning...
Australia’s Democratic governments; a proud history, their present state and future?
This is the text of a speech presented by the Hon T H Smith QC, at Waverly Rotary Club on 27 January 2015 Australia’s Democratic governments; a proud history, their present state and future? Tim Smith 27 January 2015 On this year’s Australia Day, community...
Queensland Election. Labor Party promises on anti-corruption
The Queensland Labor Party has given a comprehensive response to our request for comment on matters of anti corruption prior to the Queensland state election. The full response letter from the Hon Tim Mulherin, Deputy Leader of the Opposition is linked here, but a...
Queensland Election. Call for Party promises on anti-corruption
On January 13th, ART sent a letter to all major parties contesting the Queensland election, the Liberal National Party, the Australian Labor Party, Palmer United Party, the Greens, and Katter's Australia Party. This letter requested the commitment of all parties to...