Read the full media release here:
publicintegrity.org.au/the-centre-f...
04.03.2026 04:24
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Read the full media release here:
publicintegrity.org.au/the-centre-f...
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
He said there was a very high threshold for investigation and there needed to be a public official involved in misconduct, meaning failure to supervise contracts didn’t come under its remit."
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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.
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#auspol
Read the full piece in today's Mandarin by the Centre's Research Director and Executive Director here:
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www.themandarin.com.au/306088-you-c...
Integrity requires limits. Diversity and quality require support. These aren’t opposites; they reinforce each other. The goal isn’t perks; it’s a system where Australians can serve, and leave, with integrity and dignity.
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What could that include? A temporary transition payment (phased out once equivalent work is found), career/financial/psychological support, tailored employment services and dignity measures like a guaranteed valedictory speech.
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If only the wealthy can afford to comply with integrity rules, democracy loses. So we need integrity + humanity together: a targeted transitional support package tied to a strong cooling-off period.
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But there’s a design challenge: tough rules can unintentionally deter good candidates. Research shows many former MPs struggle to find work for ~18 months, and the transition can be psychologically severe.
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Best practice? Cooling-off periods that:
- apply to all parliamentarians
- last a full parliamentary term
- cover all lobbying and lobbying-related activity (including advising on lobbying strategy).
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That’s why “revolving door” rules matter. Robust, enforceable cooling-off periods help stop former MPs trading insider access and networks for private gain — and protect public trust.
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Politics isn’t a “normal job”. It can be short, brutal, and risky (psychologically, financially, professionally). Yet we expect impeccable conduct during and after time in office.
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If we genuinely want a parliament that reflects Australia’s diversity and talent, we have to face the tension:
✅ spend public money wisely
✅ but also provide fair pay, fair entitlements (esp. for families), and fair expectations post-parliament.
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We’ve built a system that demands extraordinary professional + personal sacrifice from MPs… while often failing to support them to do the job with integrity — or to leave public life with dignity and a future.
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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.
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#auspol
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINv...
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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 👇
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#auslaw #auspol
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINv...
“Protection of the institutions of our democracy continues to be a significant priority.”
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“We are also increasingly concerned about the rushing of important legislation and absence of sufficient scrutiny, and will therefore extend our work on legislative practice.
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“Given what we have seen over the last year, with the Gov attempting to wind back the right of Australians to access government information, one focus for the centre will continue to be transparency in respect of the exercise of public power” ~ Dr Williams of the organisation’s 2026 priorities
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This includes holding robust public debate and allowing ample parliamentary scrutiny of complex legislation after a series of controversial reforms were rushed through in the past.
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The Centre for Public Integrity is calling for the Government to use the new year to strengthen its commitment to transparency.
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#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...
"By contrast, the reasons given by the government to justify the delay seem quite spurious."
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