Stephen Charles
Stephen Charles is a retired judge who served on the Supreme Court of Victoria Court of Appeal between 1995 and 2006. He is a member of the boards of the Centre for Public Integrity and the Accountability Round Table.
Stephen's recent articles
8 September 2024
The NACC’s refusal to consider Robodebt
Before the last election in 2022, the Labor opposition promised to establish an integrity commission that would have a broad jurisdiction and strong investigative powers including the capacity to hold public hearings when it was in the public interest to do so.
19 October 2023
Only parliaments are able to set up integrity bodies, but politicians hate and fear them
The Victorian government has just acted to ensure that the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) is neutered by a subtle gambit in the crafting of the advertisement seeking applicants for the position of Commissioner.
2 October 2023
Strengthening IBAC must be Victorian government's priority
Victorias integrity body, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), is a deeply flawed institution. It has been hobbled by the Liberal government that created it and in the too-limited reforms implemented by the Labor government that followed. It is clear that both major parties have been reluctant to give the body the teeth it requires to be effective. New Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan must approach reforming the body with an open mind if she is to begin rebuilding trust in the governments integrity.
4 October 2022
The NACC Bill: Public hearings crucial to integrity
While the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Bill is a major achievement, there are some blemishes. Public hearings are a crucial mechanism in promoting integrity and investigating and exposing corruption and should not be limited.
28 November 2021
The prime ministers attack on the NSW ICAC is wholly unjustified
The Coalition's proposal for a national integrity commission shows an arrogant and contemptuous disdain for community demands such a body.
19 October 2021
The trials of Bernard Collaery and Witness K
Australia's bugging of Timor-Leste's Cabinet rooms and subsequent hounding of Bernard Collaery and a former intelligence officer was a display of mendacity, duplicity, fraud, criminal trespass and contempt of international law.
11 October 2021
A strong federal integrity commission requires public hearings
The Coalition parliamentarians who don't want a federal integrity commission to hold public hearings are among the very people that should be required to answer questions from an integrity commission.
21 February 2021
Even a brown paper bag filled with cash may not be enough to start an investigation
The recent release of Australian Electoral Commission political donation figures has put the lack of transparency back in the spotlight. This issue is also behind the push for a federal integrity commission. But the Coalition government, which is by far the largest recipient of political donations, has no intention of reforming the system and is pushing for a toothless integrity commission on purpose.
9 November 2020
Porter's integrity commission is designed to trick the public into thinking the Coalition is serious about tackling corruption
Mr Porters proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission, in the public sector division, will not be able to investigate supposed corruption, wont discover any corruption, and will certainly not expose any.
1 November 2020
Australia must have a strong corruption watchdog, but the Coalition shows little interest.
It is now obvious that Australia needs, and most of the community is demanding, a strong national integrity commission. Not, however, the Coalition.