THE HON MARK DREYFUS KC MP
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
CABINET SECRETARY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
Australia lifts to top ten in fighting corruption
The Albanese Government’s commitment to restore trust and integrity to federal politics has been recognised with Australia back in the top 10 nations in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for the first time in almost a decade.
Australia’s reputation as being one of the world’s most open, transparent and least corrupt nations was trashed by nine years of Liberal rorts, secrecy and failure to deliver a promised integrity commission.
Under the Liberals Australia’s rank in the global Corruption Perceptions Index fell 11 places to 18th – the worst result of any OECD country and the worst result in our history.
Now, under the Albanese Labor Government, Australia’s rating has climbed to equal 10th place with Ireland and Iceland – Australia’s highest ranking since 2016.
This is a clear sign the Albanese Government’s integrity measures are restoring our international reputation as an open and transparent nation committed to tackling corruption.
The Albanese Labor Government has:
- Legislated a powerful, independent, and transparent National Anti-Corruption Commission
- Made the most significant reform to Australia’s system of administrative review in decades by creating an efficient, accessible, independent and fair Administrative Review Tribunal which was opposed by the Liberals
- Introduced a new Fraud and Corruption Control Framework which imposes stronger anti-corruption obligations on all Commonwealth agencies
- Legislated the Combatting Foreign Bribery Act which introduced a new corporate offence for failing to prevent foreign bribery
- Established a Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme
- Strengthened protections for public sector whistleblowers
- Strengthened the Code of Conduct for Ministers, and
- Delivered a new National Action Plan under the Open Government Partnership.
This latest index predates the recent passage of the long overdue Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing reform which was also opposed by the Liberals.
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
