independent statutory agencies

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion says he made a “reasonable request” about an independent body’s annual report. But a former chair calls the intervention a “gross breach” of standards.

A letter from Her Majesty’s prisons inspector has shown how tense things can get when a ministry is given budgetary responsibility for the independent authority charged with monitoring its conduct.

Australia’s quasi-independent nature of its statutory officers requires a mutual civility and respect. When politicians break that model, it undermines our democratic credentials, writes Danielle Celermajer.

“Independent” statutory bodies like the Human Rights Commission are, in reality, beholden to ministers and departments over funding and direction. The current environment makes Gillian Triggs’ position unsurprising.