In this podcast episode from the Centre for Public Integrity, former federal court judge the Hon Michael Barker KC interviews Professor Megan Davis AC, one of Australia's leading constitutional law academics. Davis discusses her journey from law school to her significant contributions at the United Nations and her current role at the University of New South Wales.

The conversation delves into Davis's work on the Uluru Statement, her views on constitutional recognition for First Nations people, and her skepticism and optimism about future reforms. The discussion also touches on various integrity issues within Australian politics, the discrepancies in indigenous representation, and the broader implications of these issues on democracy and self-determination.

In this episode of the Center for Public Integrity's podcast, the Hon Michael Barker KC, a former federal court judge, interviews Jay Weatherill AO, the 45th Premier of South Australia and recently appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

They discuss Weatherill's background, influenced by his father's trade union work and his own early immersion into politics. Weatherall recounts his journey to becoming Premier and reflects on the various facets of democracy, the importance of integrity in governance, and the role of civil society.

He shares his views on freedom of information reforms, proactive disclosure, the need for participatory democracy, and the challenges of balancing transparency with effective policy-making. Weatherall also touches on his future role as High Commissioner and the significance of democratic dialogue on the international stage.

Show notes:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:58 Jay Weatherall's Early Political Influences

02:58 Lessons from Jay's Father

06:17 Jay's Path to Politics and Law

09:07 Entering Parliament and Early Experiences

14:30 Integrity and Ethics in Government

28:17 The Role of State Government in Democracy

29:35 Historical Insights on Democracy

31:25 Unionism and Representation

35:06 FOI and Government Transparency

44:04 Challenges in Policy Making

47:39 The Importance of Civil Society

51:01 Future Role in Diplomacy

In this episode of the Centre for Public Integrity's podcast, host the Hon Michael Barker KC interviews Andrew Barr, Chief Minister of the ACT. The discussion explores the unique governmental structure of the ACT, combining state and municipal responsibilities, and the impacts of this hybrid model. Topics include the evolution and benefits of self-government, the proportional representation electoral system, political stability, and the growing influence of independents. Barr comments on the challenges of lobbying, the importance of transparency, and recent technological concerns such as AI and deepfakes in politics. He also touches on his own political journey, the significance of civics education, and ongoing efforts to ensure integrity in political financing and lobbying.