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This article discusses Corruption in Australia, in both private sector and public sectors.
Contents
Rankings and research
Corruption in Australia is relatively uncommon when compared to other nations worldwide. Australia is ranked one of the least corrupt countries in the world, according to Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index, which measures indirect evidence of corruption in the public sector. Public sector corruption in Australia is similar to that in other developed nations like Canada and Norway as of 2014. However, according to this same index, corruption is increasing in Australia. In the 2015 Index Australia ranked 13th, dropping six positions since 2012.
The phenomenon has also been studied by the Australian National University, which produced a report called Perceptions of Corruption and Ethical Conduct (2012), which concluded: "there is a widespread perception that corruption in Australia has increased" and that "the media, trade unions and political parties were seen as Australia's most corrupt institutions.
Research published in 2015 by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand found government and private firms in Australia and nearby New Zealand both display widespread "complacent" attitudes about corruption, particularly in regards to companies bidding for government contracts.
Reactions
Australia has a strong record of global, regional and domestic action to prevent and expose corrupt activity. These include the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group, APEC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Working Group and the United Nations Convention against Corruption Working Groups.
Most Australians regard the acceptance of luxury gifts by Australian politicians to be a form of corruption through bribery.