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

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.

In this episode of the Center for Public Integrity's podcast, the Hon Michael Barker KC speaks with Peter Malinauskas, the Premier of South Australia, about the innovative changes to the state's Electoral Act that ban political donations, making elections publicly funded. The discussion delves into the motivations behind these reforms, the influence of Malinauskas' visit to the U.S., and the broader implications for democracy. They also explore the benefits of compulsory voting, the risks of lobbying, and the importance of teaching civics in schools to combat apathy and nurture informed citizens. Premier Malinauskas shares insights from his personal journey into politics and his hopes for the future of democratic engagement in Australia.

Margaret White AO was the first woman judge appointed in Queensland. Before that, she had already had a remarkable career from working in Barbados, as an academic and then on two of Australia's most significant constitutional law cases (Tasmanian Dams and Mabo).

Following a lengthy period on the bench, Margaret then went on to run Royal Commissions investigating the racing industry and child protection in the Northern Territory. She reflects on their effect and how they emphasised her belief in the importance of robust regulation and accountability.

Currently, she advocates for anti-corruption and democratic integrity as a director for the Center for Public Integrity, motivated by the belief that democracy requires constant vigilance and active participation to thrive.

What if the failures of a controversial government scheme and a historic referendum could ignite a revolution in our democratic process? In this episode, journalist Quentin Dempster sits down with Professor Gabrielle Appleby—one of Australia’s leading constitutional law academics and a board director at the Centre—to explore how her groundbreaking work strives for transparency, accountability, and reform in government.

Drawing on her academic expertise and firsthand observations, Gabrielle recounts her dual role in pivotal democratic debates. She critically examined the shortcomings revealed by the RoboDebt Royal Commission, advocating for reforms to bolster support for in-house government lawyers and prevent systemic failures. Simultaneously, she played a crucial role in the campaign for constitutional recognition of the Voice, where she served as a constitutional specialist advisor during regional dialogues that laid the groundwork for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Through her work with the Centre for Public Integrity, Gabrielle champions systemic reforms to enhance government transparency and accountability. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about how legal scholarship can drive transformative change in our democratic system.

Behind the Scenes of Integrity

In this compelling episode of the Centre for Public Integrity’s podcast, journalist Quentin Dempster sits down with the Honourable Anthony Whealy, Founding (and current) Chair of the Centre for Public Integrity. Anthony takes us on a journey from his humble beginnings in Sydney—growing up in a middle‑class family with a bookmaker father—to his transformative education and career in law. Reflecting on his colourful experiences and the battles fought in courtrooms and Parliament alike, Anthony discusses how his post-judicial career opened his eyes to the structural and systemic problems in Australia and developed his passion for the importance of restoring public trust through initiatives like the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and how the Centre’s work continues to shape a fairer, more accountable democracy.

Tune in for a thought-provoking dialogue that underscores the power of integrity in governance.