Who gets invited to apply for public money? The Government says its $560.9m community grants program followed the rules. But it has not publicly explained how projects were selected for an invitation. Our factsheet examines this gap. Link below👇 #auspol

@publicintegrity.bsky.social · 2mo ago

$560.9 million in community infrastructure grants. Invitation only. No published explanation of how eligibility was determined. New research from the Centre for Public Integrity has struck a chord in the media and with the public. Some key pieces of the research 👇 1/ #auspol

$560.9 million in community infrastructure grants. Invitation only. No published explanation of how eligibility was determined. New research from the Centre for Public Integrity has struck a chord in the media and with the public. Some key pieces of the research 👇 1/ #auspol

If you missed this webinar it is now available on YouTube: youtu.be/uT-abTCkmAI #auspol

Webinar: Who Really Has a Seat at the Table?

YouTube video by The Centre for Public Integrity

youtu.be

@publicintegrity.bsky.social · 2mo ago

From gambling and gun policy to Big Tech and fossil fuels, lobbying plays a powerful role in shaping public decisions. But Australia’s federal lobbying system remains opaque, unequal and poorly regulated. 1/ #auspol

We’re live in 30 minutes. Join us at 2.00 pm AEST for a timely discussion on lobbying, influence and democratic integrity in Australia. Register now to receive the webinar link: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #auspol

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Who Really Has a Seat at the Table? Lobbying, influence and democratic integrity in Australia. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email abou...

From gambling and gun policy to Big Tech and fossil fuels, lobbying plays a powerful role in shaping public decisions. But Australia’s federal lobbying system remains opaque, unequal and poorly regula...

us02web.zoom.us

@publicintegrity.bsky.social · 2mo ago

From gambling and gun policy to Big Tech and fossil fuels, lobbying plays a powerful role in shaping public decisions. But Australia’s federal lobbying system remains opaque, unequal and poorly regulated. 1/ #auspol

The Centre's Chair, Anthony Whealy KC, in the SMH: Not all lobbyists are the problem, but the revolving door between government and industry is out of control. #auspol www.smh.com.au/national/not...

Not all lobbyists are bad, but their revolving door is out of control

There is no transparency about what lobbyists do, who they lobby and on what.

smh.com.au

From gambling and gun policy to Big Tech and fossil fuels, lobbying plays a powerful role in shaping public decisions. But Australia’s federal lobbying system remains opaque, unequal and poorly regulated. 1/ #auspol

Since 15 April, Victoria has had no meaningful political finance laws. That means no reliable way for voters to know who is funding political campaigns. This is a serious threat to democratic integrity. 🧵 1/ #auspol #vicpol #politicalfinance

The Big Four enjoy legal protections designed for accountants — even as they make most of their money as consultants. The Centre's Chair, The Hon Anthony Whealy, asks: who is this really protecting? #auspol

But Anthony Whealy, KC, the Chair of the Centre for Public Integrity, an independent research institute, said that response summed up the importance of changing the culture at the commission. 1/ #auspol

The NACC resignation could be a turning point. Integrity agencies exist to hold public power to account. But recent controversies show they also need strong safeguards of their own. New research report released by the Centre today 👇 1/ #auspol

Why do some scandals lead to reform, while others disappear from the news cycle? Nick Feik joins Will Partlett on The Integrity Puzzle to discuss how investigative journalism, whistleblowers, inquiries, crossbench pressure and civil society can help turn exposure into accountability. #auspol

Victoria has no ban on foreign political donations, no donation cap and no disclosure requirement after the High Court struck down its framework. The Centre's Dr Catherine Williams calls the “regulatory vacuum” a “crisis situation” requiring an “emergency response” Link below #auspol

A watchdog without resources cannot properly hold government to account. The 2026–27 Budget cuts the Auditor-General’s funding in real terms — despite repeated warnings the ANAO’s position is unsustainable. Read more in our factsheet: #auspol publicintegrity.org.au/wp-content/u...

The next NACC Deputy Commissioner should be appointed through: • public advertising • published selection criteria • an independent selection panel • full transparency for parliamentary scrutiny Public confidence depends on the integrity of the process. #auspol

@publicintegrity.bsky.social · 6mo ago

The resignation of Deputy Commissioner Nicole Rose is an opportunity to restore confidence — but the replacement must be appointed through a transparent, merit-based and independent process. Read our statement: publicintegrity.org.au/media-releas... #auspol

The resignation of Deputy Commissioner Nicole Rose is an opportunity to restore confidence — but the replacement must be appointed through a transparent, merit-based and independent process. Read our statement: publicintegrity.org.au/media-releas... #auspol

Anthony Whealy KC, Chair of the Centre for Public Integrity: "Right from the start, the state government enacted this legislation too quickly. This was legislation that didn't ban protests but it did very effectively discourage them." 1/ #auspol

“Victoria must not respond with a quick fix that simply reworks the same problem. Mechanisms like nominated entities have no place in a modern democracy. They distort the system and entrench inequality.” Dr Catherine Williams Executive Director Centre for Public Integrity wp.me/pfU5Sy-aJp #auspol

Media Release: High Court ruling exposes unfair electoral laws — Victoria must fix the system, not patch it

The unanimous High Court decision strikes at the heart of Victoria’s “nominated entity” regime — a mechanism that has enabled major parties to access funding structures not available to independents a...

wp.me

Dr Catherine Williams, executive director of the Centre for Public Integrity, said: “We remain concerned about the rate of non-compliance, as well as the rate at which public interest immunity is relied upon as the basis for that non-compliance.” 1/ #auspol

Good lawmaking depends on good process. On 13 March 2026, the Centre for Public Integrity and the Law Council of Australia brought together experts, parliamentarians and legal leaders to discuss how public input into lawmaking can be improved. 1/ #auspol #auslaw

Withdrawing the nominated entity amendments is the right call — they would have left major-party “war chests” intact and allowed spending outside donation caps. Now Victoria must fix the structural unfairness in political finance laws and implement the 2023 review recommendations. #vicpol

This short video covers the Centre's Report Card on the first six months of Tasmania's Rockliff Government across eight key integrity areas. Read the report here: buff.ly/xZPz8Ml #auspol

Watson, speaking in his role as director for the Centre of Public Integrity, said it was surprising Allan did not know her referral could not be investigated, because the current government had made changes to IBAC’s powers that changed its authority to investigate. 1/ #auspol

Last year’s pre-Christmas parliamentary expenses scandal is still reverberating, with the Remuneration Tribunal now recommending tighter rules for family reunion travel. But here’s the bigger issue: parliamentary life is not family-friendly. 1/ #auspol

New Vod/Podcast: Money, Power and the Constitution Special release this morning for students attending the National Schools Constitutional Convention, where the Centre's Professor Gabrielle Appleby will deliver the keynote address More links 👇 1/ #auslaw #auspol www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINv...

Money, power and the Constitution

YouTube video by The Centre for Public Integrity

youtube.com

The Centre for Public Integrity is calling for the Government to use the new year to strengthen its commitment to transparency. 1/ #auspol

Yesterday, the Senate Committee reviewing the proposed FOI changes released their report... and the Coalition, the Greens, David Pocock and Jackie Lambie all opposed the proposal. #auspol

“There’s an exemption for whenever the prime minister agrees there should be an exemption. That’s a pretty big discretion.” ~ Research Director Professor Gabrielle Appleby #auspol www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...

‘Overpaid political hacks’: Public trust lost over jobs for mates

The recommendations of a long-awaited review into political appointments have been set aside by the federal government.

theage.com.au

Anthony Whealy KC, Chair of the Centre for Public Integrity: "For years, governments of both persuasion have made appointments to senior public positions with absolute disregard for integrity, transparency and accountability." 1/ #auspol www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

‘Jobs for mates’ review is damning – and the government’s response is a failure of the highest order | Anthony Whealy

Despite its high-flown rhetoric, the Albanese government has been tortoise-like in reforming the appointments process. It’s now clear why

theguardian.com

Media release: Government’s Appointments Framework Falls Short of Ending ‘Jobs for Mates’ #auspol

On Tuesday morning, the Centre for Public Integrity said the IEC's establishment would "not solve the NT's integrity crisis". www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11... 1/ #auspol

NT Integrity and Ethics Commissioner established amid opposition

The Northern Territory parliament has passed a bill creating an Integrity and Ethics Commissioner. It will take responsibility for four integrity bodies in the territory, including the anti-corruption...

abc.net.au