Corruption in Australia

Corruption can take many forms, and can distort how public policy is made or implemented. This article discusses the responsibilities of the various agencies involved in combating corruption in Australia. Australia became a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in 2005.[1] While Australia is a wealthy democracy, its ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index from Transparency International, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector, slipped from 7th place in 2012, when the current form of the Index was instituted, to as low as 18th place in 2021. Australia ranked 10th in 2024.[2] Additionally, there is a public perception that corruption in Australia is increasing. All states have broad-based anti-corruption agencies, and a national anti-corruption commission has been operational since July 2023.[3]

Protections for whistleblowers are weak in Australia,[4] although greater protections have been pledged by the incumbent Albanese government.[5]

  1. ^ Kunc, Francois (November 2022). "Introduction and a note to contributors". Australian Law Journal. 96 (11): 782. doi:10.3316/agispt.20221124078366 (inactive 1 November 2024).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
  2. ^ "Corruption Perceptions Index 2024: Australia". Transparency.org. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Information about the National Anti-Corruption Commission". Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Government urged to drop prosecutions against Richard Boyle, David McBride and Bernard Collaery". Australia: ABC News. 13 June 2022.
  5. ^ Pelly, Michael (16 November 2022). "Whistleblower laws to be introduced within next fortnight". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 17 November 2022.

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