Civil society orgs. unite for democracy
Here is our joint statement: 16 April 2026 Dear Premier, Leader of the Opposition, Party Leaders, and Independent MPs, Re: Commit to Donations Transparency Amidst Electoral Law Void We represent civil society organisations...
High Court finds political donation caps unconstitutional
The High Court decision will force political parties to come up with fairer solutions to issues of campaign financing, however, unless electors are vigilant, some of the deeper-seated problems may not...
FORMER IBAC COMMISSIONER ROBERT REDLICH KC CHAIRS ACCOUNTABILITY ROUND TABLE
The Accountability Round Table (ART) has appointed existing Board member Robert Redlich AM KC as Chair, following a meeting of the Board held on 23 March 2026. The appointment follows the resignation from the Board of Chair,...
Vic anti corruption watchdog left toothless
The Victorian Parliament voted down reforms that would allow the state’s anti-corruption watchdog, IBAC, to ‘follow the dollar’ in the construction industry and investigate corruption by private contractors and third parties in...
ART Policy - Campaign finance
ART policy - FOI
A powerful and independent freedom of information scheme must be a central feature of a functional democracy, an essential step toward enhancing transparency and accountability.
The existing basis of FOI legislation laid down in the 1980s is sound – yet over the last decade the culture has become one of secrecy and obstruction. Statutory time limits are commonly breached and redactions are the norm.
ART reforms
An Integrity System for Australia
The reforms in brief:
A National Integrity System that is proactive, preventive, coordinated and cooperative | A National Integrity Commission that is independent, has investigative powers, makes recommendations and findings of fact, can investigate the judiciary | Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner
Political donations regime & election funding
The reforms in brief:
Caps of ~$1,000 on donations | Real time disclosure | Limits on election campaign expenditure incl. third party entities | Sanctions for electoral breaches | An independent body for public funding | Laws that require truth in political advertising
Civil society engagement
The reforms in brief:
support civic participation in the OGP | value public participation in decisions and policy | recognise the benefits of public engagement, including that of women | make policy and decisions more transparent | allow NFPs freedom of expression, association and opinion | greater collaboration
see more here …
Data in politics & government
The reforms in brief:
Ban covert digital techniques of influence | remove electoral & privacy act exemptions | supervise government data collection | recognise that personal data cannot be de-identified | control profiling for political use | control government buying-in data | cover social media in advertising rules | ban government data on-selling | citizen opt-in rights
Policy on the big issues – global warming
The reforms in brief:
An evidence-based, whole of government approach to the environment | a transparent mechanism to drive down emissions | government role in decarbonizing solutions | cooling off period for public officers going into the private sector
Lobbyists
The reforms in brief:
In-house lobbyists incl. in Register | matters discussed disclosed | documents made public | funds, gifts & events declared | oversight of Code & Register by the National Integrity System | campaign donations & expenditure limits | more public engagement in decisions | Senate role in countering undue influence
Integrity Lecture, Awards
Submissions
National Integrity Commission, OAIC, OGP