Adam Graycar

A Senate committee supports a proposed merger between the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, despite only hearing arguments against it. Academics in the field say it’s more of an acquisition, and will hobble the research body.

Branding upstanding public servants as potential criminals won’t stop those who really are on the take, writes public policy professor Adam Graycar, author of Understanding and Preventing Corruption. But we can stop transgressions becoming systemic.

One current federal secretary and a state government commissioner made it into the Order of Australia in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours. We’ve also included the full list of public service, police, ambulance, fire service and emergency services medal recipients.

The specific weaknesses of the federal integrity framework mean NSW’s ICAC model, although popular, isn’t necessarily the best option. Whichever the model, it’s likely APS matters would dominate, not politicians.

The anti-corruption researcher questions the growing clamour for a Commonwealth ICAC. International best practice instead points to a council model, he suggests, answering to a cross-party committee.

Persistent beliefs that corruption in government is endemic and unsolvable are simply not true, writes public policy professor Adam Graycar, former SA Cabinet Office head and author of Understanding and Preventing Corruption. More rules won’t stop the remaining Bronwyn Bishops, but a focus on integrity culture might.