Difficult budget decisions after $368 billion nuclear subs splurge A plan to acquire a fleet of nuclear subs has been unveiled, but experts said the eye-watering price tag will force tough budget debates. The New Daily · Mar 14, 2023
Labor plan to beef up government’s cyber powers faces Senate block A paper expanding on greater ability to intervene during hacks – especially on private companies – causes alarm among Coalition and Greens The Guardian - AU · Feb 27, 2023
'Chilling' gaps in online child exploitation protection The taking down of online child exploitation material can take days and one social media giant has no Australian point of contact to handle complaints. AAP · Feb 20, 2023
Commonwealth spends more than $7.6 million in prosecuting whistleblowers including Bernard Collaery, David McBride and Richard Boyle The Commonwealth has racked up more than $7.6 million in legal fees pursuing whistleblowers, with the bulk of that bill relating to a now-dumped prosecution. ABC News · Feb 14, 2023
'Damning' AFP staff survey reveals lack of confidence in admin, innovation A third of police officers and supporting staff also say the technology they deal with affects their work to a great - or very great - extent. The Canberra Times · Feb 14, 2023
AFP commissioner questioned over 'violent arrest' of protester outside Iranian Embassy in Canberra Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw said the police force's internal integrity unit was still in the process of investigating the claims, after it was referred to the internal integrity unit following media reports. The Canberra Times · Feb 14, 2023
Protester in hospital after Iran embassy police tackle A video posted to social media shows a protester outside the Iranian embassy in Canberra being thrown to the ground by police after a verbal altercation. AAP · Feb 10, 2023
Parliament to consider bid to strip entitlements of former Australian governors general for serious misconduct Push comes as Peter Hollingworth is expected to appear at tribunal examining his handling of child abuse complaints as Anglican archbishop of Brisbane The Guardian - AU · Feb 9, 2023
Legalising cannabis could earn Australia $28 billion, federal figures show Australia could earn upwards of $30 billion over a decade by legalising and taxing cannabis, according to new PBO costings. The New Daily · Feb 3, 2023
Whistleblower bill excluding sexual harassment complaints from protection goes too far, Greens senator says David Shoebridge says employment-related complaints should also be protected as whistleblowers ‘too often lose their careers from speaking out’ The Guardian - AU · Jan 30, 2023
Weapons export permits granted by Defence to send lethal technology to accused human rights violators The Defence Department grants dozens of permits for weapons exports to nations accused of gross human rights violations and war crimes. ABC News · Jan 6, 2023
Greens push for federal ‘right to protest’ law after NSW jailing of Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco Senator David Shoebridge hopes to ‘rebalance the scales of justice’ after states crack down on activists The Guardian - AU · Dec 20, 2022
Push for national protest protection laws As state laws crack down on environmental protesters, the Greens will push for federal protections to override "unfair" laws. AAP · Dec 20, 2022
‘Naccflip’: National anti-corruption commission bill passes Senate after Greens backdown Minor party resolves to support a crossbench amendment instead of Coalition on key appointment The Guardian - AU · Nov 29, 2022
The Guardian - AU · Nov 28, 2022 Greens threaten to support Liberal amendment in move that could derail passage of key integrity bill Labor and the Greens now engaged in a high-stakes game of brinkmanship in parliamentary debate on the signature bill
The New Daily · Nov 27, 2022 Who is David Pocock, who passed key workplace changes? Not what anyone expects David Pocock, the Senate kingmaker, has confirmed he will vote for the most significant reform of industrial relations in three decades
ABC News · Nov 23, 2022 Danny Lim released from hospital following arrest in Sydney CVB The elderly Sydney activist is photographed leaving hospital in a wheelchair, as police say inquiries continue into the events of his arrest.
The New Daily · Nov 23, 2022 Crossbench dismay as catch-all clause to future-proof corruption watchdog is dropped The commission must have the scope and definition of corruption to adequately investigate, prevent and stop corruption.
ABC News · Nov 8, 2022 Government accused of hiding 'lazy $591 million' in extra costs from scrapped French submarine program Details of up to $591 million in additional expenses for the cancelled French submarine program emerge in Senate estimates, including asset writedowns on unused infrastructure, and re-employment programs in Adelaide.
The Guardian - AU · Oct 24, 2022 Mark Dreyfus refuses to say when Labor added high bar for public hearings to anti-corruption bill Attorney general accused of using public interest immunity ‘improperly’ and adding exceptional circumstances test as ‘political decision’
The Guardian - AU · Oct 17, 2022 Greens warn attorney general could weaponise and release secret reports of anti-corruption body Transparency advocates argue for lower threshold for public hearings as four-day inquiry into Nacc bill begins
The Guardian - AU · Oct 10, 2022 Information commissioner spends more than $560,000 in legal fees to defend FOI delays Former senator Rex Patrick launched federal court action last year over OAIC’s slow freedom of information request review process
AAP · Oct 9, 2022 NSW govt defends transport assets body The entity set up to hold the state's transport assets has attracted much criticism but the government says it just needs time to deliver its promised benefits.
The Guardian - AU · Sep 27, 2022 Labor faces crossbench backlash over integrity commission’s private hearings Attorney general Mark Dreyfus also confirms integrity commission will be able to investigate conduct retrospectively
The Guardian - AU · Sep 26, 2022 Federal Icac will have power to investigate third parties who pose corruption threat, Labor vows Mark Dreyfus reassures independent MPs that anti-corruption bill will include a broad scope for investigations and public hearings