Centre for Public Integrity

The Centre for Public Integrity

Australia’s leading democracy research institute invites you to join us as we explore the inner workings of politics, policy and public integrity. With a commitment to elevating public discourse, this new series offers three distinct perspectives: Decision Makers: The Hon Michael Barker KC interviews parliamentarians, revealing the challenges, successes and outstanding issues that they have encountered.In the Weeds: Executive Director, Dr Catherine Williams, unpacks the nuances of policy design with leading experts.The Centre: Quentin Dempster AM delves into the personal journeys of our experts, sharing the stories that inspired their commitment to transparency and accountability.

  1. 14 Aug

    Tasmania’s Independent Tradition and Integrity Reforms: A Conversation with Meg Webb MLC

    Host Michael Barker interviews Meg Webb MLC, independent member for Nelson in Tasmania’s Legislative Council, about her path from 20 years in community services and social policy advocacy into parliament after winning the open Nelson seat in 2019 and being re-elected in 2025. Webb discusses why Tasmania has strong independent representation, especially in the 200-year-old upper house, citing single-member electorates, rolling elections separate from lower house contests, and strict spending caps, alongside Hare-Clark proportional representation in the lower house. She outlines her campaign priorities—integrity, governance, gender equity, environment, and poker machine reform—and details work on integrity architecture including ministerial diary disclosure, right-to-information reform, and an exposure-draft Political Lobbying Integrity and Transparency Bill. Webb also describes creating Parliamentary Friends of Public Integrity to build cross-parliament culture and networks, and warns of growing poker-machine losses and ineffective harm-minimisation measures. 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Meg's Path into Politics 09:26 Tasmania's Independent-Friendly Upper House 16:08 Party Influence, Donations & Public Funding 19:33 Relational Influence & Gray Corruption Risks 22:36 Parliamentary Friends of Public Integrity 28:18 Ministerial Diary Disclosure 33:17 Lobbying Reform Bill 38:07 The Role of the Media 40:27 Right to Information Reform 44:34 What's Next & Poker Machine Reform 48:35 Closing

    Tasmania’s Independent Tradition and Integrity Reforms: A Conversation with Meg Webb MLC

  2. 30 July

    Kylie Kilgour: Acting Commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission

    Episode Summary: Michael Barker, former Federal Court judge and director of the Centre for Public Integrity, sits down with Kylie Kilgour — Acting Commissioner of Australia's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) — for a wide-ranging conversation about the country's newest federal integrity body. They explore the history of anti-corruption commissions across Australia's states and territories, and how the NACC came to be established in 2023. Kylie breaks down the legal definition of corrupt conduct under the NACC Act — from dishonest performance of duties to abuse of public office — and explains how the Commission decides which referrals to investigate. The conversation turns to the landmark Robodebt investigation (Operation Myrtleford), where Kylie shares the findings against two officials and explains the reasoning behind conducting hearings in private. She also discusses Operation Pelican — the NACC's first prosecution — involving a bribery attempt over the Western Sydney Airport car park tender. Kylie rounds out the episode with the Commission's performance to date: nearly 8,000 referrals received, 70 investigations completed, and a growing corruption prevention and education function. She also covers oversight mechanisms including the Inspector and the Parliamentary Joint Committee, which has a public inquiry currently underway. Key topics: Anti-corruption law · Robodebt · Public sector integrity · NACC investigations · Australian democracy

    Kylie Kilgour: Acting Commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission

  3. 21 May

    Nick Feik: Investigative journalism and the accountability cycle

    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 reformHow reporting on Tasmania’s Ashley Youth Detention Centre and Robodebt exposed deeper institutional failuresWhy public inquiries, parliamentary pressure and civil society all matter to accountabilityThe episode also examines the challenges facing investigative journalists, including defamation law, short media cycles and governments’ ability to delay or manage demands for reform. Full show notes: 00:00 Intro 02:40 Media economics and scarcity 04:59 The accountability cycle explained 06:40 Tasmania’s abuse investigation 11:12 Power and reform networks 12:14 Working with crossbenchers 13:45 The limits of royal commissions 19:05 Defamation and its chilling effect 23:02 Robodebt as a case study 26:59 The NACC and public accountability 28:34 Why details take time 29:27 Closing takeaways

    Nick Feik: Investigative journalism and the accountability cycle

  4. 7 May

    John McKechnie on integrity, corruption and public accountability

    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 investigate misconduct, expose failures and help ensure public power is exercised for public purposes. SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:06 Why Law School 02:24 Early Practice and Crown Move 04:12 Creating the DPP 06:09 WA Inc Taskforce Years 07:42 Epiphany to the Bench 09:37 Judge vs Prosecutor Mindset 11:18 Taking the CCC Job 13:19 CCC Powers and Jurisdiction 14:46 Prosecutions and Proof Limits 19:07 What Integrity Really Means 28:06 Velvet Glove Iron Fist 30:36 Wrap Up and Thanks

    John McKechnie on integrity, corruption and public accountability

  5. 16 Apr

    How to make integrity watchdogs truly independent - Deborah Glass Victoria's Ombudsman 2014-2024

    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 design could look like. This is a conversation about why the fine print of integrity reform matters, and why democratic accountability depends on getting it right.

    How to make integrity watchdogs truly independent - Deborah Glass Victoria's Ombudsman 2014-2024

  6. 22 Jan

    Money, power and the Constitution

    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 historical compromises that shaped Australia’s constitutional framework, and how that played out in the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975. This is a special episode for the upcoming 2026 National School's Constitutional Convention, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of Australia's political and legal landscape. Show notes: 00:00 Introduction to the Center for Public Integrity 00:20 Overview of the National School's Constitutional Convention 01:05 Introducing Professor Gabriel Applebey 01:31 Understanding Section 53 of the Commonwealth Constitution 02:11 Historical Context and Comparisons 03:21 The Role and Powers of the Senate 05:02 The 1975 Constitutional Crisis 08:52 Modern Implications and Reflections 14:02 The Framers' Intent and Modern Politics 28:22 The 1975 Constitutional Crisis 34:19 Modern Implications and Future Considerations 37:21 Concluding Thoughts

    Money, power and the Constitution

  7. 01/12/2025

    Jay Weatherill AO: Democracy's Challenges and the Path Ahead

    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 journey to becoming Premier and reflects on the various facets of democracy, the importance of integrity in governance, and the role of civil society. He shares his views on freedom of information reforms, proactive disclosure, the need for participatory democracy, and the challenges of balancing transparency with effective policy-making. Weatherall also touches on his future role as High Commissioner and the significance of democratic dialogue on the international stage. Show notes: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 00:58 Jay Weatherall's Early Political Influences 02:58 Lessons from Jay's Father 06:17 Jay's Path to Politics and Law 09:07 Entering Parliament and Early Experiences 14:30 Integrity and Ethics in Government 28:17 The Role of State Government in Democracy 29:35 Historical Insights on Democracy 31:25 Unionism and Representation 35:06 FOI and Government Transparency 44:04 Challenges in Policy Making 47:39 The Importance of Civil Society 51:01 Future Role in Diplomacy

    Jay Weatherill AO: Democracy's Challenges and the Path Ahead

  8. 22/10/2025

    Prof Megan Davis AC - Integrity at the Margins: Power & Accountability in Indigenous Affairs

    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 Davis's work on the Uluru Statement, her views on constitutional recognition for First Nations people, and her skepticism and optimism about future reforms. The discussion also touches on various integrity issues within Australian politics, the discrepancies in indigenous representation, and the broader implications of these issues on democracy and self-determination.

    Prof Megan Davis AC - Integrity at the Margins: Power & Accountability in Indigenous Affairs
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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Australia’s leading democracy research institute invites you to join us as we explore the inner workings of politics, policy and public integrity. With a commitment to elevating public discourse, this new series offers three distinct perspectives: Decision Makers: The Hon Michael Barker KC interviews parliamentarians, revealing the challenges, successes and outstanding issues that they have encountered.In the Weeds: Executive Director, Dr Catherine Williams, unpacks the nuances of policy design with leading experts.The Centre: Quentin Dempster AM delves into the personal journeys of our experts, sharing the stories that inspired their commitment to transparency and accountability.

Information

  • Creator
    The Centre for Public Integrity
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Centre for Public Integrity 2025
  • Show Website
    Centre for Public Integrity

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