tasmanian_bibliophile's review
4.0
‘This is a disturbing book. It is meant to be.’
This book was published before the recent federal election. The ALP took this promise to the election:
‘An Albanese Labor Government will legislate a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission by the end of 2022.
Anti-corruption commissions serve the public by uncovering corruption and ensuring that members of a government, including politicians, are held to account if they engage in corrupt conduct.’
The first sitting of the 47th Parliament of Australia is scheduled to open on 26 July 2022. Many of us will be watching with interest.
Why? Well, if you read this book, you will find many reasons why a strong anti-corruption body is necessary. From electorally targeted pork-barrelling exercises (think ‘Sports Rorts’ and ‘Carpark Rorts’) through our treatment of asylum seekers, and of Timor-Leste (including the prosecution of Bernard Collaery and Witness K).
‘Secrecy is at the core of corrupt conduct.’
Part I of this book, entitled ‘The Long Road to a National Integrity Commission’ covers historical cases of corruption, the Victorian and New South Wales models for anti-corruption commissions as well as touching on the risks of corruption in the federal arena. A case is made for public hearings, and a chapter each is dedicated to the Sports and Carpark Rorts.
Part II is entitled ‘The Case for Other Vital Democratic Reforms’, and covers several issues including limiting secret influence, and how to protect the integrity of elections. I was blackly amused by this quote:
‘As Lord Bingham of Cornhill warned, where the ability of political parties to access media is proportionate to their resources, elections are reduced to barely more than auctions.’
This may not have worked for Clive Palmer (millions of dollars spent for a very, very minor return) but we desperately need truth in political advertising and the ability to identify the sources of political donations.
I was reminded, too, that the checks and balances we assume apply to the expenditure of public monies rely on sound documentation and effective audit processes. The ANAO needs to be appropriately resourced, and tender processes need effective management.
I hope that the Albanese Government delivers on their promise before the integrity of the Australian Government is further compromised.
‘The community is longing for integrity in government, and most want a strong national integrity commission.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This book was published before the recent federal election. The ALP took this promise to the election:
‘An Albanese Labor Government will legislate a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission by the end of 2022.
Anti-corruption commissions serve the public by uncovering corruption and ensuring that members of a government, including politicians, are held to account if they engage in corrupt conduct.’
The first sitting of the 47th Parliament of Australia is scheduled to open on 26 July 2022. Many of us will be watching with interest.
Why? Well, if you read this book, you will find many reasons why a strong anti-corruption body is necessary. From electorally targeted pork-barrelling exercises (think ‘Sports Rorts’ and ‘Carpark Rorts’) through our treatment of asylum seekers, and of Timor-Leste (including the prosecution of Bernard Collaery and Witness K).
‘Secrecy is at the core of corrupt conduct.’
Part I of this book, entitled ‘The Long Road to a National Integrity Commission’ covers historical cases of corruption, the Victorian and New South Wales models for anti-corruption commissions as well as touching on the risks of corruption in the federal arena. A case is made for public hearings, and a chapter each is dedicated to the Sports and Carpark Rorts.
Part II is entitled ‘The Case for Other Vital Democratic Reforms’, and covers several issues including limiting secret influence, and how to protect the integrity of elections. I was blackly amused by this quote:
‘As Lord Bingham of Cornhill warned, where the ability of political parties to access media is proportionate to their resources, elections are reduced to barely more than auctions.’
This may not have worked for Clive Palmer (millions of dollars spent for a very, very minor return) but we desperately need truth in political advertising and the ability to identify the sources of political donations.
I was reminded, too, that the checks and balances we assume apply to the expenditure of public monies rely on sound documentation and effective audit processes. The ANAO needs to be appropriately resourced, and tender processes need effective management.
I hope that the Albanese Government delivers on their promise before the integrity of the Australian Government is further compromised.
‘The community is longing for integrity in government, and most want a strong national integrity commission.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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