Centre for Public Integrity

Will Partlett speaks with Nick Feik, former editor of The Monthly , about the role investigative journalism plays in Australia’s integrity puzzle. They discuss: Why difficult stories often need sustained public attention before they produce reform How reporting on Tasmania’s Ashley Youth Detention Centre and Robodebt exposed deeper institutional failures Why public inquiries, parliamentary pressur...

Will Partlett speaks with John McKechnie, former Western Australian Director of Public Prosecutions, Supreme Court judge and Corruption and Crime Commissioner, about the limits of “integrity” as an institutional slogan. McKechnie reflects on WA Inc, the creation of independent prosecution and anti-corruption bodies, and why corruption commissions must do more than promote good culture. They must i...

What does it take for an integrity watchdog to be genuinely independent? In this episode, Deborah Glass — former Victorian Ombudsman and honorary fellow at Melbourne Law School — explains why the answer goes well beyond personal integrity. She discusses the real pressures created by executive-controlled appointments, funding battles and weak oversight, and sets out what stronger institutional desi...

In this special edition podcast, former federal court judge The Hon Michael Barker KC speaks with Professor Gabrielle Appleby, Research Director at the Centre for Public Integrity and public law expert at UNSW Law & Justice, about how Australia’s Constitution distributes the power over money. They delve into the powers of the Senate, the significance of responsible government, and the historic...

In this episode of the Center for Public Integrity's podcast, the Hon Michael Barker KC, a former federal court judge, interviews Jay Weatherill AO, the 45th Premier of South Australia and recently appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. They discuss Weatherill's background, influenced by his father's trade union work and his own early immersion into politics. Weatherall recounts his jo...

In this podcast episode from the Centre for Public Integrity, former federal court judge the Hon Michael Barker KC interviews Professor Megan Davis AC, one of Australia's leading constitutional law academics. Davis discusses her journey from law school to her significant contributions at the United Nations and her current role at the University of New South Wales. The conversation delves into Davi...

In this episode of the Centre for Public Integrity's podcast, host the Hon Michael Barker KC interviews Andrew Barr, Chief Minister of the ACT. The discussion explores the unique governmental structure of the ACT, combining state and municipal responsibilities, and the impacts of this hybrid model. Topics include the evolution and benefits of self-government, the proportional representation electo...

In this episode of the Center for Public Integrity's podcast, the Hon Michael Barker KC speaks with Peter Malinauskas, the Premier of South Australia, about the innovative changes to the state's Electoral Act that ban political donations, making elections publicly funded. The discussion delves into the motivations behind these reforms, the influence of Malinauskas' visit to the U.S., and the broad...

Zali Steggall burst onto Australia’s political stage in 2019, unseating a 25-year incumbent to become an outspoken community independent. A world-champion slalom skier turned high-stakes advocate, Zali seamlessly transitioned from life at the Olympic starting gate to the House of Representatives. In her maiden speech, she warned that big money and “spin” were eroding trust in Parliament—an issue s...

The Hon Michael Barker KC speaks with Bridget Archer MP, who has gained a national reputation for her independence and principled stances within the Liberal Party. In this episode, they explore what it means to be a genuine community representative in federal politics. Bridget reflects on her philosophy of putting her electorate’s needs first, the challenges of crossing the floor on major issues l...

Margaret White AO was the first woman judge appointed in Queensland. Before that, she had already had a remarkable career from working in Barbados, as an academic and then on two of Australia's most significant constitutional law cases (Tasmanian Dams and Mabo). Following a lengthy period on the bench, Margaret then went on to run Royal Commissions investigating the racing industry and child prote...

Former athlete and current independent MP Sophie Scamps reveals her journey from working as a GP to becoming the community independent member for Mackellar. Through the interview, the Hon Michael Barker KC, former Federal Court Judge and Centre Director, queries the successes, the challenges and the issues outstanding for the 47th Parliament, and for Scamps in particular. And asks whether there is...

In this episode of the Centre for Public Integrity’s podcast series, former Federal Court Judge and Director at the Centre, Michael Barker, engages with Helen Haines MP, the dynamic independent member for Indi in the Federal Parliament. Drawing on her deep roots in rural Australia and her unexpected journey into public service, Helen shares how her electorate’s unique challenges—from critical wate...

Associate Professor Will Partlett is the inaugural Stephen Charles Fellow at the Centre, where he devotes his research to understanding the design and operation of integrity commissions. As Director of the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies, a former fellow of the Brookings Institution, and a leading expert on the centralisation of power, Will leverages his deep constitutional insight t...

What if the failures of a controversial government scheme and a historic referendum could ignite a revolution in our democratic process? In this episode, journalist Quentin Dempster sits down with Professor Gabrielle Appleby—one of Australia’s leading constitutional law academics and a board director at the Centre—to explore how her groundbreaking work strives for transparency, accountability, and...

Former Federal Court judge and Centre for Public Integrity Board member, the Hon. Michael Barker KC, sits down with Commonwealth Attorney-General the Hon. Mark Dreyfus KC MP. Drawing on his extensive parliamentary experience—having served as Attorney-General twice and representing the historic seat of Isaacs in South East Melbourne— Mark reflects on his journey from his early days as a junior clim...

In this episode of In the Weeds , Dr Catherine Williams sits down with Associate Professor Zim Nwokora from Deakin University—a political scientist and member of the Centre for Public Integrity’s Money in Politics Expert Committee. In today’s conversation, Zim unpacks innovative approaches to campaign financing—from regulating private donations to exploring mixed public-private models. He advocate...

Behind the Scenes of Integrity In this compelling episode of the Centre for Public Integrity’s podcast, journalist Quentin Dempster sits down with the Honourable Anthony Whealy, Founding (and current) Chair of the Centre for Public Integrity. Anthony takes us on a journey from his humble beginnings in Sydney—growing up in a middle‑class family with a bookmaker father—to his transformative educatio...

Former Federal Court judge Michael Barker sits down with Larissa Waters, Senator for Queensland and a leading voice for the Greens. Larissa recounts her journey into politics—beginning with her unexpected entry in 2010 and overcoming a notorious section 44 hiccup—to champion a vision of a more representative and inclusive parliament. Together, they explore how diversity in Parliament is essential...

Join Dr Catherine Williams, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Integrity, as she sits down with Andrew Young, former Clerk of the Victorian Parliament and a key member of Deakin University’s Parliamentary Research Unit. In this episode, Andrew demystifies the process of orders for production of documents—a crucial parliamentary tool that compels the government to release withheld informat...

In this candid interview, founding board director Geoffrey Watson, SC, takes us on his remarkable journey—from being inspired by “To Kill a Mockingbird” to becoming a leading anti-corruption crusader. A former counsel assisting the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption and a teaching fellow at UNSW, Geoffrey reveals the gritty realities of exposing deep-seated corruption, the personal toll...

In this compelling episode, former Federal Court judge Michael Barker KC sits down with Kate Chaney, MP for Curtin, to explore the evolving landscape of Australian democracy. Kate shares her unexpected journey—from a diverse career outside politics to a historic, reluctant run as an independent in a traditionally Liberal seat—to champion long-term thinking, integrity, and community-driven change....