by jmsthornton | Nov 3, 2015 | News
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...
by jmsthornton | Oct 19, 2015 | News, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
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...
by jmsthornton | Aug 4, 2015 | Code of Conduct, Corruption, IBAC, News, Submissions, Victoria, Victorian Government Integrity System Reform
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...
by jmsthornton | Apr 14, 2015 | Federal Government, Freedom of Information, News
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...
by jmsthornton | Mar 17, 2015 | Election, New South Wales, News, Open Government
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...
by jmsthornton | Jan 27, 2015 | News, Public Trust, Reforms
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...