In this special edition podcast, former federal court judge The Hon Michael Barker KC speaks with Professor Gabrielle Appleby, Research Director at the Centre for Public Integrity and public law expert at UNSW Law & Justice, about how Australia’s Constitution distributes the power over money. They delve into the powers of the Senate, the significance of responsible government, and the historical compromises that shaped Australia’s constitutional framework, and how that played out in the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975. This is a special episode for the upcoming 2026 National School's Constitutional Convention, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of Australia's political and legal landscape.

Show notes:

00:00 Introduction to the Center for Public Integrity

00:20 Overview of the National School's Constitutional Convention

01:05 Introducing Professor Gabriel Applebey

01:31 Understanding Section 53 of the Commonwealth Constitution

02:11 Historical Context and Comparisons

03:21 The Role and Powers of the Senate

05:02 The 1975 Constitutional Crisis

08:52 Modern Implications and Reflections

14:02 The Framers' Intent and Modern Politics

28:22 The 1975 Constitutional Crisis

34:19 Modern Implications and Future Considerations

37:21 Concluding Thoughts

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