Bill Browne
@browne90.bsky.social
Director at The Australia Institute's Democracy & Accountability Program. Views posted are my own.
"Public servants had admitted to witnessing but failing to report at least 554 instances of corruption, including nepotism, fraud, cronyism and conflicts of interest."
Adds to 1,000s of incidents that have been reported to the NACC.
From @paulkarp.bsky.social
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Adds to 1,000s of incidents that have been reported to the NACC.
From @paulkarp.bsky.social
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Hundreds of cases of public service nepotism, cronyism went unreported
The National Anti-Corruption Commission has warned of at least 554 instances when corruption in the federal public service was witnessed but was not reported.
www.afr.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:27 AM
"Public servants had admitted to witnessing but failing to report at least 554 instances of corruption, including nepotism, fraud, cronyism and conflicts of interest."
Adds to 1,000s of incidents that have been reported to the NACC.
From @paulkarp.bsky.social
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Adds to 1,000s of incidents that have been reported to the NACC.
From @paulkarp.bsky.social
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Observations from @rodcampbell.bsky.social on weakening mining lobby pair nicely with this @australiainstitute.org.au research showing Aus govts increasingly willing to defy corporate lobby groups. australiainstitute.org.au/report/trade...
December 3, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Observations from @rodcampbell.bsky.social on weakening mining lobby pair nicely with this @australiainstitute.org.au research showing Aus govts increasingly willing to defy corporate lobby groups. australiainstitute.org.au/report/trade...
Last week on @thepointau.bsky.social I IDed five ways to strengthen democracy in Victoria.
Labor Govt has been forced to move a little on one of these already: making political donation laws more fair.
Thanks to High Court challenge on political speech grounds.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Labor Govt has been forced to move a little on one of these already: making political donation laws more fair.
Thanks to High Court challenge on political speech grounds.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Victoria changes 'unconstitutional' donation laws amid court challenge
A financial election advantage for the three biggest Victorian political parties will be removed in the face of a High Court challenge that has argued the state's donation laws are unconstitutional.
www.abc.net.au
December 3, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Last week on @thepointau.bsky.social I IDed five ways to strengthen democracy in Victoria.
Labor Govt has been forced to move a little on one of these already: making political donation laws more fair.
Thanks to High Court challenge on political speech grounds.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Labor Govt has been forced to move a little on one of these already: making political donation laws more fair.
Thanks to High Court challenge on political speech grounds.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
The parliamentary committee inquiring into the 2025 federal election wants to hear from you!
Deadline extended to 28 Feb 2026 to hear from more members of the public. www.aph.gov.au/About_Parlia...
Deadline extended to 28 Feb 2026 to hear from more members of the public. www.aph.gov.au/About_Parlia...
Electoral Matters calls for further submissions and community input at Ipswich hearings next week
Electoral Matters calls for further submissions and community input at Ipswich hearings next week
www.aph.gov.au
December 3, 2025 at 3:14 AM
The parliamentary committee inquiring into the 2025 federal election wants to hear from you!
Deadline extended to 28 Feb 2026 to hear from more members of the public. www.aph.gov.au/About_Parlia...
Deadline extended to 28 Feb 2026 to hear from more members of the public. www.aph.gov.au/About_Parlia...
Kerry O'Brien's warning that Labor wants to make it easier for govts to flout freedom of information laws confirmed.
Fact check for @thepointau.bsky.social by @skyelark.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/factchecks/2...
Fact check for @thepointau.bsky.social by @skyelark.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/factchecks/2...
Will Labor’s changes make it easier for governments to flout freedom of information laws?
The claim comes from Kerry O’Brien’s speech at the Walkleys, where he criticised the Albanese Government for not living up to the benchmarks they set while in opposition,
thepoint.com.au
December 3, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Kerry O'Brien's warning that Labor wants to make it easier for govts to flout freedom of information laws confirmed.
Fact check for @thepointau.bsky.social by @skyelark.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/factchecks/2...
Fact check for @thepointau.bsky.social by @skyelark.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/factchecks/2...
Sometimes, the best thing that can happen to a govt is to lose a vote -- sparing that govt from the disastrous consequences of its promises.
From me on @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
From me on @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Upper houses have saved governments, and with Tas stadium vote they might do it again
Sometimes, the best thing that can happen to a government is to lose a vote in Parliament. Doing so allows a government say, hand-on-heart, that it did everything that it could to fulfill its promises...
thepoint.com.au
December 2, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Sometimes, the best thing that can happen to a govt is to lose a vote -- sparing that govt from the disastrous consequences of its promises.
From me on @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
From me on @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reposted by Bill Browne
One year out, these five policies to strengthen Victoria's democracy could define next year's state election campaign: new from @browne90.bsky.social on The Point #auspol
thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
Five ways to strengthen democracy in Victoria
We're one year out from the Victorian state election - policies to strengthen the state's democracy could define next year’s election.
thepoint.com.au
November 28, 2025 at 12:52 AM
One year out, these five policies to strengthen Victoria's democracy could define next year's state election campaign: new from @browne90.bsky.social on The Point #auspol
thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
The Vic Govt has conceded that parts of Vic donation restrictions are unconstitutional because they give major parties an unfair advantage.
But what are the implications, for Victoria and elsewhere in Aus?
I explain on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog.
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
But what are the implications, for Victoria and elsewhere in Aus?
I explain on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog.
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
The Point Live — Daily Updates
Stay updated with the latest from The Point.
live.thepoint.com.au
November 26, 2025 at 9:11 PM
The Vic Govt has conceded that parts of Vic donation restrictions are unconstitutional because they give major parties an unfair advantage.
But what are the implications, for Victoria and elsewhere in Aus?
I explain on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog.
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
But what are the implications, for Victoria and elsewhere in Aus?
I explain on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog.
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
Reposted by Bill Browne
Australian companies like Westpac and Woolworths exaggerating how much they give to charity…who’d have thought! Great work @browne90.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/news/251125-...
thepoint.com.au/news/251125-...
Overstated generosity of Australia’s biggest companies exposed in new report
A new report into 20 of the country’s biggest corporations has found examples of them overstating how generous their reported contributions to the community were.
thepoint.com.au
November 25, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Australian companies like Westpac and Woolworths exaggerating how much they give to charity…who’d have thought! Great work @browne90.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/news/251125-...
thepoint.com.au/news/251125-...
Reposted by Bill Browne
Korean-owned coal mines were stopped in NSW by local groups.
Korea is now phasing out coal.
This is why stopping coal and gas projects in Australia is so important! IT WORKS!!
My piece on @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/news/251126-...
Korea is now phasing out coal.
This is why stopping coal and gas projects in Australia is so important! IT WORKS!!
My piece on @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/news/251126-...
Australia’s big climate win – stopping Korean coal mines
One of the big announcements at last week’s UN climate talks in Brazil was that the South Korean Government has committed to phasing out coal-fired power by 2040.
thepoint.com.au
November 26, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Korean-owned coal mines were stopped in NSW by local groups.
Korea is now phasing out coal.
This is why stopping coal and gas projects in Australia is so important! IT WORKS!!
My piece on @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/news/251126-...
Korea is now phasing out coal.
This is why stopping coal and gas projects in Australia is so important! IT WORKS!!
My piece on @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/news/251126-...
"Bravery has a place inside Parliament ... Sometimes it’s found in building consensus across political divides; sometimes in standing apart when conscience outweighs party loyalty."
Fatima Payman on crossing the floor, in @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Fatima Payman on crossing the floor, in @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
The Floor I Crossed Was Between Fear and Freedom
The point.com.au
thepoint.com.au
November 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM
"Bravery has a place inside Parliament ... Sometimes it’s found in building consensus across political divides; sometimes in standing apart when conscience outweighs party loyalty."
Fatima Payman on crossing the floor, in @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Fatima Payman on crossing the floor, in @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reposted by Bill Browne
Good explainer on what is "The Opposition" and is it still a useful concept in #Auspol @browne90.bsky.social @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
If the Opposition is not the alternative government, what is the point of it?
With Victoria on its third Oppostion Leader in a year, and speculation about pressure on the Federal and NSW Liberals, we're left wondering: what makes an Opposition Government?
thepoint.com.au
November 19, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Good explainer on what is "The Opposition" and is it still a useful concept in #Auspol @browne90.bsky.social @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
There's a common misconception that preferences explain the thumping majority Labor won at this year's election.
Not true -- as @skyelark.bsky.social explains in @thepointau.bsky.social fact check
thepoint.com.au/factchecks/2...
Not true -- as @skyelark.bsky.social explains in @thepointau.bsky.social fact check
thepoint.com.au/factchecks/2...
Factcheck: Does Labor owe its parliamentary majority to preferential voting?
The point.com.au
thepoint.com.au
November 18, 2025 at 3:43 AM
There's a common misconception that preferences explain the thumping majority Labor won at this year's election.
Not true -- as @skyelark.bsky.social explains in @thepointau.bsky.social fact check
thepoint.com.au/factchecks/2...
Not true -- as @skyelark.bsky.social explains in @thepointau.bsky.social fact check
thepoint.com.au/factchecks/2...
Reposted by Bill Browne
Australia’s democracy has changed radically since 1975.
So many more women in parliament, but less o in the Colaition
So many more minor party and independent MPs
And each MP now has so many more constituents…
Great article/graphs from @browne90.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
So many more women in parliament, but less o in the Colaition
So many more minor party and independent MPs
And each MP now has so many more constituents…
Great article/graphs from @browne90.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
How Australian democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts
50 years on from the Dismissal, how has Australian democracy changed? Here are six ways that Australian politics looks very different to when Gough Whitlam was PM in November 1975.
thepoint.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Australia’s democracy has changed radically since 1975.
So many more women in parliament, but less o in the Colaition
So many more minor party and independent MPs
And each MP now has so many more constituents…
Great article/graphs from @browne90.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
So many more women in parliament, but less o in the Colaition
So many more minor party and independent MPs
And each MP now has so many more constituents…
Great article/graphs from @browne90.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
How democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts:
1/ The crossbench has grown from 3 in the Senate to 20 in the Senate and 13 in the House, making blocking supply much more difficult than it was for Malcolm Fraser.
1/ The crossbench has grown from 3 in the Senate to 20 in the Senate and 13 in the House, making blocking supply much more difficult than it was for Malcolm Fraser.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
How democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts:
1/ The crossbench has grown from 3 in the Senate to 20 in the Senate and 13 in the House, making blocking supply much more difficult than it was for Malcolm Fraser.
1/ The crossbench has grown from 3 in the Senate to 20 in the Senate and 13 in the House, making blocking supply much more difficult than it was for Malcolm Fraser.
Australia gives parties and candidates generous taxpayer funding, but it comes too late -- after the election has already happened.
@skyelark.bsky.social describes alternatives that make public funding available to new challengers -- when they can actually use it.
On @thepointau.bsky.social
@skyelark.bsky.social describes alternatives that make public funding available to new challengers -- when they can actually use it.
On @thepointau.bsky.social
Australia should take many lessons from Mamdani's incredible victory, including learning from America on how to handle money in politics (yes, really)
New from me on @thepointau.bsky.social 👇
thepoint.com.au/news/251108-...
New from me on @thepointau.bsky.social 👇
thepoint.com.au/news/251108-...
What Australia can learn from the US about money in politics
Zohran Mamdani’s successful campaign benefited greatly from New York’s funding innovations.
thepoint.com.au
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Australia gives parties and candidates generous taxpayer funding, but it comes too late -- after the election has already happened.
@skyelark.bsky.social describes alternatives that make public funding available to new challengers -- when they can actually use it.
On @thepointau.bsky.social
@skyelark.bsky.social describes alternatives that make public funding available to new challengers -- when they can actually use it.
On @thepointau.bsky.social
Reposted by Bill Browne
"How Australian democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts" @browne90.bsky.social #OffTheCharts #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
How Australian democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts
50 years on from the Dismissal, how has Australian democracy changed? Here are six ways that Australian politics looks very different to when Gough Whitlam was PM in November 1975.
thepoint.com.au
November 9, 2025 at 11:55 PM
"How Australian democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts" @browne90.bsky.social #OffTheCharts #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
Politics cannot be fixed by removing the politicians.
Reflections on citizens' juries and "mini-publics" from my time as a citizens' juror.
On @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reflections on citizens' juries and "mini-publics" from my time as a citizens' juror.
On @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Serving on a citizens’ jury taught me the value of politicians
Politics cannot be fixed by removing the politicians. Instead, Australians could ask more of the politicians they do elect and participate fully in civic life – protesting, joining political parties o...
thepoint.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Politics cannot be fixed by removing the politicians.
Reflections on citizens' juries and "mini-publics" from my time as a citizens' juror.
On @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reflections on citizens' juries and "mini-publics" from my time as a citizens' juror.
On @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reposted by Bill Browne
It wasnt our enviro laws that were too weak to protect the Skate or stop the North West Shelf, it was our Ministers.
Thats why Labor is trying to get the Coalition to help them water them down…to save Enviro Ministers the embarrassment of always saying yes #climate
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Thats why Labor is trying to get the Coalition to help them water them down…to save Enviro Ministers the embarrassment of always saying yes #climate
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
It wasn’t the laws that were too weak to stop those projects, it was the ministers
The Prime Minister is betting that by 2028 people will forget the North West Shelf and EPBC backflips, but it would be a brave backbencher willing to make that same bet.
thepoint.com.au
November 4, 2025 at 12:30 AM
It wasnt our enviro laws that were too weak to protect the Skate or stop the North West Shelf, it was our Ministers.
Thats why Labor is trying to get the Coalition to help them water them down…to save Enviro Ministers the embarrassment of always saying yes #climate
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Thats why Labor is trying to get the Coalition to help them water them down…to save Enviro Ministers the embarrassment of always saying yes #climate
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
It would be perverse to change our copyright laws to make life easier for free-riding AI companies.
But copyright reform -- if guided by the needs of humans, not machines -- would encourage human thriving and creativity.
More from me on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
But copyright reform -- if guided by the needs of humans, not machines -- would encourage human thriving and creativity.
More from me on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Loosen copyright restrictions to encourage human thriving, not AI profits
The point.com.au
thepoint.com.au
November 4, 2025 at 12:07 AM
It would be perverse to change our copyright laws to make life easier for free-riding AI companies.
But copyright reform -- if guided by the needs of humans, not machines -- would encourage human thriving and creativity.
More from me on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
But copyright reform -- if guided by the needs of humans, not machines -- would encourage human thriving and creativity.
More from me on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reposted by Bill Browne
"The fact the Greens want to stop native forest logging and the Nationals want to speed up land clearing is not proof that any legislation Labor drafts must fit in the “sensible centre.” - @richarddenniss.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
It wasn’t the laws that were too weak to stop those projects, it was the ministers
The Prime Minister is betting that by 2028 people will forget the North West Shelf and EPBC backflips, but it would be a brave backbencher willing to make that same bet.
thepoint.com.au
November 3, 2025 at 11:39 PM
"The fact the Greens want to stop native forest logging and the Nationals want to speed up land clearing is not proof that any legislation Labor drafts must fit in the “sensible centre.” - @richarddenniss.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
The Senate is more powerful than prime ministers like to admit, and last week we saw why that matters --
If clash over govt secrecy escalates, Labor may inspire Libs, Nats to question Senate customs that benefit govt.
@thepointau.bsky.social live blog:
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
If clash over govt secrecy escalates, Labor may inspire Libs, Nats to question Senate customs that benefit govt.
@thepointau.bsky.social live blog:
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
Australia Institute Live — Daily Updates
Stay updated with the latest from The Australia Institute.
live.thepoint.com.au
November 3, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The Senate is more powerful than prime ministers like to admit, and last week we saw why that matters --
If clash over govt secrecy escalates, Labor may inspire Libs, Nats to question Senate customs that benefit govt.
@thepointau.bsky.social live blog:
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
If clash over govt secrecy escalates, Labor may inspire Libs, Nats to question Senate customs that benefit govt.
@thepointau.bsky.social live blog:
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
Taking reader questions on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog:
How many more seats would the Coalition lose if an election were held today?
@skyelark.bsky.social answers --
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
How many more seats would the Coalition lose if an election were held today?
@skyelark.bsky.social answers --
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
Australia Institute Live — Daily Updates
Stay updated with the latest from The Australia Institute.
live.thepoint.com.au
November 3, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Taking reader questions on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog:
How many more seats would the Coalition lose if an election were held today?
@skyelark.bsky.social answers --
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
How many more seats would the Coalition lose if an election were held today?
@skyelark.bsky.social answers --
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
The people you elected want to hear what you thought of the 2025 federal election --
JSCEM asks members of the public to appear at hearings; make submissions.
More details on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog.
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
JSCEM asks members of the public to appear at hearings; make submissions.
More details on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog.
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
Australia Institute Live — Daily Updates
Stay updated with the latest from The Australia Institute.
live.thepoint.com.au
November 3, 2025 at 2:38 AM
The people you elected want to hear what you thought of the 2025 federal election --
JSCEM asks members of the public to appear at hearings; make submissions.
More details on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog.
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
JSCEM asks members of the public to appear at hearings; make submissions.
More details on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog.
live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
"Australia's smallest jurisdiction is the most courageous — ACT should be proud."
A private member's bill from Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury leads the way, with Vic Labor Govt to follow suit. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
A private member's bill from Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury leads the way, with Vic Labor Govt to follow suit. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
ACT steps up on holding institutions liable for abusers. Why not NSW?
Survivors watched on as the ACT took a historic step on Tuesday in passing a bill to overturn a High Court decision that allowed a church to avoid litigation over the actions of one of its priests.
www.abc.net.au
October 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
"Australia's smallest jurisdiction is the most courageous — ACT should be proud."
A private member's bill from Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury leads the way, with Vic Labor Govt to follow suit. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
A private member's bill from Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury leads the way, with Vic Labor Govt to follow suit. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...