DOI: 10.32725/978-80-7394-976-1.11

Unethical behaviour in Australian federal politics

Roberto Bergami
University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Department of Trade, Tourism and Languages, Studentská 13, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic, rbergami@ef.jcu.cz.


Whilst it is generally accepted that politics and ethics are an uneasy match at times, there is still an expectation from the electorate that politicians elected to positions of public power behave in the best interest of the nation and its constituents. Such notions have come under attack in Australia during the term of the previous federal government. Between 2019 and 2022 an unprecedented level of unethical behaviour by public officials has been on display, with accountability and transparency featuring very low in decisionmaking processes. A string of scandals that has plagued the previous government have included the questionable distribution of government funding to sporting bodies and the building of car parks in hand-picked electorates, with the aim of strengthening the chances of re-election. Other grants have also come to be questioned, including the award of nearly half a billion dollars to a small foundation after the tender process was bypassed. The latest saga involved the previous Prime Minister (PM) secretly amassing an extra five ministries in secret, in cahoots with the Governor General (the monarchical representative), who himself became embroiled in a controversial financial grant allocation after personally lobbying the PM for the award.Unethical behaviour appears to be on the increase and there is a need to take action to prevent the further erosion of public trust in government officials. This paper highlights major events of concern during the last term of government, and concludes by suggesting a range of remedies, such the establishment of a federal ani-corruption body, the legal codification of the role of the Governor-General, and enhancing ministerial standards through regulations.
 

Klíčová slova: ethics, politics, public officials, politicians, transparency, accountability

stránky: 68-74



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