Democracy & Accountability
The NACC’s exceptional challenge: integrity is not achieved by secrecy, but by trust earned in the light
Few issues unite progressive and conservative voters. Ending corruption is one of the few exceptions.
The welfare system isn’t just on fire, it’s burning out of control
The problem with having pattern recognition is that you can always see the fires before they start. Governments are a bit like that, too. It’s not that they don’t see the fire before the smoke, it’s just they figure it will be someone else’s problem to deal with it by the time it’s all ablaze.
‘Economic power is political power’: Grace Blakeley calls for Australians to fight back
Author of Vulture Capitalism, Grace Blakeley, has told Australian consumers they need to stand up to the huge companies which dominate their way of life.
Parliamentary entitlements and family reunions: just let the pollie pay
The arbiters of ethical public spending have an odd set of tools at their disposal, to judge by the dismal saga facing Anika Wells and Don Farrell, among others.
First whispers of discontent for Labor are coming from within
It’s the end of the year, which means things tend to be a lot looser than usual and emotions can run high.
FOI documents reveal extent of unreported corruption in Commonwealth agencies
The nation's corruption watchdog has warned federal agencies and departments that gross misconduct may be more prevalent than previously thought.
When ‘common sense’ cuts are code for a cruel con job
The greatest trick neoliberalism ever pulled was convincing people government intervention shouldn’t exist. And yet, governments know we will accept it without question when it comes to taking from the most vulnerable.
Lawfare in the Forests: How SLAPP suits and legal barriers damage democracy
Environmental groups do not have the capacity, financial resources or institutional incentives to pursue frivolous litigation. When community groups or conservation organisations bring a case, it is because significant environmental or procedural issues are at stake, and because all other channels for accountability and protecting the environment have failed.
Upper Houses have saved Governments, and with Tasmanian AFL stadium vote they might do it again
Sometimes, the best thing that can happen to a government is to lose a vote in Parliament. Doing so allows a government say, hand-on-heart, that it did everything that it could to fulfill its promises, while sparing that government from the disastrous consequences of its promises.
Will Labor’s changes make it easier for governments to flout freedom of information laws?
The claim comes from Kerry O’Brien’s speech at the Walkleys, where he criticised the Albanese Government for not living up to the benchmarks they set while in opposition,
