Damon Mcknight
Australia has long been considered a low-corruption country, but public perception is that this is changing. Despite its reputation as a clean country, Australia faces growing concerns about corruption, particularly relating to foreign bribery, money laundering, tax evasion, and extortion. The country has experienced a decline in transparency, accountability, and overall integrity, and there is a perception that corruption is increasing, with 85% of respondents to a 2018 Transparency International and Griffith University survey perceiving at least 'some' federal politicians as corrupt. Australia has implemented various measures to combat corruption, including the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and participation in international anti-corruption initiatives, but many argue that these efforts are insufficient.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score 2022 | 75 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Rank 2022 | 13th |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score 2024 | 77 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Rank 2024 | 10th |
| Public Perception of Corruption | Increasing |
| Corruption Types | Bribery, extortion, embezzlement, financial fraud, money laundering, abuse of power |
| Whistleblower Protection | Weak |
| Independent Commission Against Corruption | Established in 1989 |
| National Anti-Corruption Commission | Proposed |
| International Anti-Corruption Efforts | UNCAC, UNTOC, OECD Anti-Bribery Convention |
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What You'll Learn
Whistleblower protection laws
Australia has been ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world by Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, scoring 85/100 in 2012 and ranking 7th out of 176 countries. In 2024, Australia's score fell to 77, ranking 10th out of 180 countries. A 2018 survey by Transparency International and Griffith University found that 85% of respondents perceived at least "some" federal politicians as corrupt, and trust in the government fell to an all-time low.
To combat corruption, Australia has established several independent bodies, including the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC). However, protections for whistleblowers in Australia have been described as weak, although the incumbent Albanese government has pledged greater protections.
Whistleblowers can request that their identity be kept confidential by the organisation receiving their report. It is illegal to disclose a whistleblower's identity without their consent, except in certain circumstances, such as reporting to ASIC, APRA, the Australian Federal Police, or a lawyer for advice. Whistleblowers who experience a breach of confidentiality or detriment due to their disclosure can seek criminal or civil penalties against the responsible party.
The Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 protects individuals who make protected disclosures to registered organisations, ensuring they are safe from reprisals and liable only for their own misconduct. Organisations with rules and policies outlining whistleblower protections must follow them, and whistleblowers can access their legal rights and protections through resources like INFO 238 and Information Sheet 239 provided by ASIC.
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Political corruption
Australia has a reputation for being a "clean country", but there is growing concern about corruption. Political corruption in Australia includes bribery, embezzlement, extortion, money laundering, tax evasion, abuse of power, and a lack of governance in the mining sector.
In 2018, Transparency International and Griffith University conducted a survey that found 85% of respondents perceive at least ‘some’ federal politicians as corrupt. Trust and confidence in the government fell to 46% for federal and state levels, and 51% for local government. The public perception is that corruption is increasing, and there is strong data to back this up. For example, there have been over 341 tips submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission since 2010.
Australia has experienced a decline in transparency, accountability, and overall integrity, and some argue that the laws in place to combat corruption are not enough. Protections for whistleblowers are weak, although greater protections have been pledged by the incumbent Albanese government.
To combat corruption, Australia has established several independent bodies, including the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). These bodies have a range of investigative powers, including listening devices, telephone interception, and the ability to call witnesses and require individuals to produce evidence.
Australia is also a party to several international conventions and working groups aimed at combating corruption, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group.
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Public perception of corruption
Australia has a reputation for being a "clean country", and its score of 77 in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index is well above the global average. However, there is a public perception that corruption is on the rise in Australia, and there is strong data to support this claim.
In 2018, a discussion paper published by the Australia Institute suggested that trust in the Australian government was at a historical low. A survey conducted by Transparency International and Griffith University in the same year found that 85% of respondents perceived at least "some" federal politicians as corrupt. Trust and confidence in all levels of government fell from the previous year, to 46% for federal and state levels, and 51% for local government nationally. The survey also found that 69% of Australasian risk leaders perceived bribery and/or corruption to be a risk to their organisation across the not-for-profit, private and public sectors.
The types of corruption perceived in Australia include bribery, extortion, embezzlement, financial fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, abuse of power, and a lack of governance in the mining sector. Australian companies involved in mining, construction, and infrastructure are particularly exposed to corruption risks, with a poor track record of prosecuting foreign bribery.
There is a growing concern about corruption in Australia, and it is seen as a threat to the country's economy, society, and institutions. The establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and other legislative mechanisms could help address these issues and improve transparency and accountability. Australia is also a party to several international instruments and working groups aimed at combating corruption, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group.
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Anti-corruption initiatives
Australia has implemented several anti-corruption initiatives to combat corruption and enhance integrity in the public and private sectors. Here are some key initiatives:
- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC): The NACC is an independent body established by the Australian Parliament in 2022 to enhance integrity and reduce corruption in the public sector. It aims to deter, detect, and prevent corrupt conduct involving government public officials through education, monitoring, investigation, reporting, and referral processes. The NACC has broad jurisdiction to investigate ministers, parliamentarians, statutory office holders, and employees of government entities, as well as any individuals seeking to corrupt public officials.
- The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC): ICAC was established in 1989 to improve the integrity of the public service. It is an independent and non-political body with investigative powers, including listening devices and telephone interception. ICAC works to prevent and expose corruption in the public sector and promote integrity and good governance.
- The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC): The CCC is another independent statutory body that investigates and aims to reduce corruption across the public sector. It also addresses other serious crimes like money laundering, fraud, and homicide. The CCC can call witnesses, require individuals to produce evidence, and make recommendations to courts, but it cannot directly charge individuals with corruption or other crimes.
- International Commitments: Australia is committed to combating corruption on a global scale and is a party to several international conventions and working groups, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Anti-Bribery Convention, the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group, and the APEC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Working Group.
- Prosecution of Foreign Bribery: Australian law prohibits bribery of foreign public officials by Australian individuals or companies, both domestically and overseas. Engaging in such practices can lead to prosecution under Australian laws and the laws of the affected foreign countries. This commitment to ethical business practices helps maintain Australia's global reputation and investment opportunities.
- Whistleblower Protections: The Albanese government has pledged to strengthen whistleblower protections as part of its anti-corruption efforts. This includes establishing and enforcing a Code of Conduct for ministers and ministerial staff, ensuring that those who expose corruption are safeguarded.
These initiatives demonstrate Australia's commitment to combating corruption and strengthening integrity across its public and private sectors.
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Corruption in the mining sector
Australia has been recognised as a successful global leader and has one of the world's strongest performing economies. However, in recent years, the country has experienced a decline in trust in the government, which could negatively impact its economy. In 2018, a survey by Transparency International and Griffith University found that 85% of respondents perceived at least "some" federal politicians as corrupt.
The mining sector in Australia is particularly vulnerable to corruption. In 2015, a former mining minister and a current government minister in New South Wales were charged with corruption involving mining licenses and complex and opaque company structures set up during the mining approvals process.
Natural resources are often vulnerable to corruption, and the process of obtaining mining permits and approvals can be exploited by politicians or government officials to profit from their interests in the sector. This can result in local communities being excluded from decision-making processes and losing their homes.
To address corruption in the mining sector, Australia has implemented various measures and participated in international anti-corruption efforts. The country is a party to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (the Anti-Bribery Convention). Additionally, the Australian government supports ethical business practices and the prosecution of individuals or organisations engaging in illegal activities, including bribery and corruption, both domestically and overseas.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), established in 1989, works to improve the integrity of the public service and holds investigative powers. The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) is another independent body that investigates and aims to reduce corruption across the public sector, including in the mining industry.
Despite these efforts, there is still work to be done to strengthen governance frameworks and reduce corruption risks in the mining sector. Transparency International Australia has called for the implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which is considered the "gold standard" in mining, oil, and gas governance. The initiative aims to raise the bar on ESG standards and ensure transparency and equity in the energy transition, safeguarding local communities and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
While Australia has a reputation for being a "clean country", there is a public perception that corruption is on the rise. In 2018, Transparency International and Griffith University conducted a survey that found 85% of respondents perceive at least "some" federal politicians as corrupt. Australia has also experienced a decline in transparency, accountability, and overall integrity, with issues of bribery, money laundering, tax evasion, and foreign interference.
Australia is a party to several international conventions aimed at combating corruption, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (the Anti-Bribery Convention). The country has also established bodies such as the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) to investigate and address corruption cases.
In the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, Australia scored 77 out of 100, ranking 10th out of 180 countries. This score remains well above the global average and places Australia third in the Asia Pacific region, behind Singapore and New Zealand.
