Mean Girl Wong has decreed that Australia should have a government "as decent as its people" . Work that one out. Should that government have her and her two 'meany' colleagues in it

It's an interesting index, but one to view skeptically. It is not an index of actual corruption, but perceptions of corruption. http://www.transparency.org/en/news/how-cpi-scores-are-calculated. If a significant proportion of the population runs around saying a country has become more corrupt, then most likely this will be reflected in the index. Take a bow Steele, and Jordies.

It's also not a measure of anything the federal government has necessarily done, or not done. Why blame the feds when most of the government corruption happens in the states? And a lot of corruption doesn't even happen in the government sector. But this has been the standard ALP mantra for the term of this government - whether the government is responsible or not, anything that happens in Australia is its fault.

Then you should also look at the international comparisons. Our perceived level of corruption is similar to Canada, Japan, Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, France. Then take a look at the graph for Canada which records a similar fall in the same period of time. Obviously Trudeau's fault on Steele's logic.

If indeed there has been an increase in corruption perhaps we should look at social factors, like the postmodern idea that there is no such thing as objective truth, just power relationships between individuals. That is a recipe ripe for dishonesty and corruption.

Spot on, Graham.

Not that the average voter will know or care about 'corruption' when they vote. When they see or hear the word, they think of some South American banana republic. And, if there is some version of corruption in Australia, has it touched them? Very unlikely.

Real voters are much like Green substitute, "independent" Monique Ryan's mother-in-law, who is not going to vote for her son's wife, but for Josh Freydenberg, because she thinks that he is "a nice person" and he "knows what he is doing".

Cop that, Monny.

SteeleRedux,
Any form of corruption involving "hon. Minister" is utterly deplorable. However, on the other side of that coin, could you really believe that you & Paul1405 & Foxy et al could run a chook raffle let alone a company with only people such as yourself to chose from ?
I'm simply implying that we really shouldn't expect that much more from others than we can manage or are willing to do ourselves !
I wholeheartedly support a salary reduction for bureaucrats because as we all know they simply don't earn what they get !
The only method to bring corruption down somewhat is vehemently opposed by people who perpetually bleat transparency & equality etc. I'm talking about a National Service !

Let's dissect Graham's post.

- The figures aren't real but based on people's perceptions.

- If there is any veracity to them then how can it be pinned on the Federal government when the States are worse.

- Regardless most corruption isn't done by government, it's the private sector.

- And anyway our levels are pretty normal compared to other countries.

- Further it appears societal factors are mostly to blame.

- In fact if you look closely you will see it is actually the power imbalance between individuals where the real problem of corruption lies.

So in a couple of sentences the political party Graham has close ties to is deftly placed at least 6 measures away from the problem.

Therefore it somehow follows there is nothing to see here.

This is despite a Federal Corruption Commission being placed very high on the list of voter concerns.

This type of deflection has become pretty standard fare from the LNP and its supporters. A slightly more expansive version of “I don't hold a hose mate”.

I'm not sure it will wash this election though.

Dear Steele,

The facts are that:

Transparency International released its annual
Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) A highly regarded
global measure of anti-corruption efforts and Australia
has recorded its worst ever score. It is above the
global average and sits high in the global rankings
at 18th but is behind New Zealand, Singapore, and
Hong Kong in the Asia-Pacific region.

We're told that the recent drop is due largely
to Australia's
failure to establish a federal anti-corruption
commission. A promise made prior to the last election.

The failure to reform Australia's foreign bribery laws
and take greater action to regulate lobbying, donations,
and the revolving door between big business and politics
were also cited by Transparency International as were
tax financial regulations which allowed Australia
to be used as a launching pad for corruption in the
region.

People do want a federal ICAC. It is one of the top
priorities in this election, alongside action on climate
change. Corruption is a bread and butter issue and it does
impact on people's lives - when taxpayer money that should
be prioritised for things such as health-care, aged-care,
education, welfare, disability support, jobs, and
building a climate resilient country is either cut or
redirected into the coffers of fossil fuel companies or
used for highly questionable projects in marginal
electorates the voters are aware they are missing out.

Voters were promised an integrity commission and they want
one - yesterday. It should definitely be an election
matter. It affects us all.