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.

In this candid interview, founding board director Geoffrey Watson, SC, takes us on his remarkable journey—from being inspired by “To Kill a Mockingbird” to becoming a leading anti-corruption crusader. A former counsel assisting the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption and a teaching fellow at UNSW, Geoffrey reveals the gritty realities of exposing deep-seated corruption, the personal toll of his work, and the insights that have shaped his career in the pursuit of public integrity. Join Quentin Dempster as he delves into Geoffrey’s experiences, the challenges of defending the public interest, and why the fight for accountability remains more crucial than ever.

Associate Professor Will Partlett is the inaugural Stephen Charles Fellow at the Centre, where he devotes his research to understanding the design and operation of integrity commissions.

As Director of the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies, a former fellow of the Brookings Institution, and a leading expert on the centralisation of power,

Will leverages his deep constitutional insight to examine how robust integrity commissions can effectively check concentrated executive authority.

Drawing on critical lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolution of oversight bodies like the National Anti-Corruption Commission, he highlights the essential roles of balanced parliamentary committees, transparent funding, and thoughtful appointment processes in preserving democratic accountability.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that blends rigorous legal scholarship with pragmatic strategies to restore public trust in our government..

In this episode of In the Weeds, Dr Catherine Williams sits down with Associate Professor Zim Nwokora from Deakin University—a political scientist and member of the Centre for Public Integrity’s Money in Politics Expert Committee.

In today’s conversation, Zim unpacks innovative approaches to campaign financing—from regulating private donations to exploring mixed public-private models. He advocates for a “kittens model” where many small contributions replace the influence of “fat cat” funding, offering a fresh perspective on creating a more equitable and transparent democratic process.

Tune in for an enlightening discussion that challenges conventional financing models and paves the way for reform in election funding.

Join Dr Catherine Williams, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Integrity, as she sits down with Andrew Young, former Clerk of the Victorian Parliament and a key member of Deakin University’s Parliamentary Research Unit. In this episode, Andrew demystifies the process of orders for production of documents—a crucial parliamentary tool that compels the government to release withheld information. He explains how these orders underpin the accountability and transparency necessary for effective lawmaking, while highlighting the alarming decline in compliance and the contentious use of public interest immunity claims. Drawing on comparisons between Victoria and New South Wales, Andrew reveals why independent adjudication is vital to ensure governments cannot simply act as their own arbiters. Tune in for a deep dive into a seemingly esoteric issue that strikes at the very heart of responsible government.

Zali Steggall burst onto Australia’s political stage in 2019, unseating a 25-year incumbent to become an outspoken community independent. A world-champion slalom skier turned high-stakes advocate, Zali seamlessly transitioned from life at the Olympic starting gate to the House of Representatives.

In her maiden speech, she warned that big money and “spin” were eroding trust in Parliament—an issue she’s since taken head-on, campaigning to outlaw misleading political advertising and push Australia toward net-zero emissions.

As a former barrister who helped write key climate legislation and fought to cancel offshore gas leases off Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Zali is as comfortable debating amendment clauses in committee rooms as she once was racing down a World Cup course.

On today’s podcast, she’ll share:

• How the “fight-or-flight” pressure of Olympic slalom prepared her for the national parliament
• What it takes to pass truth-in-political-advertising laws (and why the major parties still resist)
• Why she sees a minority government as a chance for genuine cross-bench consensus
• The unfinished business—from closing campaign-finance loopholes to toughening the National Anti-Corruption Commission

Join us to hear how a former world champion skier uses that same razor-sharp focus to tackle Australia’s biggest policy challenges and restore integrity to our democratic process