The ABC not only had a right, but it also had an obligation, to air a story that speaks to ministerial misconduct when it breaches standards set by prime ministers.
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Articles on ministerial standards
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It’s much harder to remove a minister these days than it used to be – and there’s no sign Bridget McKenzie’s departure will prove a damaging blow for the Morrison government.
Our government has grappled for years to devise ethical standards for ministers and other officials. But codes are only part of the answer – MPs must also take responsibility for their own conduct.
The damaging longer-term risk for Prime Minister Scott Morrison is that some people have re-thought their view of him over the sports grants saga and his missteps in handling the bushfires.
One in four former ministers go on to take lucrative roles with special interest groups after leaving politics. Our current standards regulating this practice aren’t being enforced adequately.
As the crisis within the Coalition deepened, Barnaby Joyce held a news conference to respond to Malcolm Turnbull’s denunciation of his personal behaviour.
Michelle Grattan sits down with Deep Saini to review the week in politics.
The appointment of ministerial advisers is based on a party-political network of patronage, where the primary consideration is loyalty to the political party – not merit.
Prime Minister Theresa May proved a bit of a push over instead of wielding the axe in her cabinet reshuffle.
Australia’s minimal legal and political regulation of ministerial advisers has led to an accountability deficit.
It is unclear whether stood-aside minister Sussan Ley has breached the ministerial standards over her travel expenses. And the rules on claiming entitlements are unclear and very complex.
Human Services Minister Stuart Robert has been forced to resign from the ministry after an investigation found he had “acted inconsistently” with the code of standards.
In some circles they call Fiona Nash the “Barnaby whisperer”. It’s said she’s able to calm him down. In electing Nash their new deputy the Nationals have acted wisely.
The principle underlying the ministerial standards is that ministers should uphold the public’s trust as they wield a great deal of power deriving from their public office.
The ministerial future of Stuart Robert looks very precarious, raising the prospect that Malcolm Turnbull’s reshuffle may be wider than has been expected. In a painful Question Time performance, Robert…
Malcolm Turnbull has sought advice on whether Human Services Minister Stuart Robert breached the code of ministerial standards during a private trip to China in 2014.
Top contributors
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University
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Program Manager, Journalism, RMIT University
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Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Canberra
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Visiting Fellow, University of Canberra
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Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University
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Professor of Politics, Royal Holloway University of London
