Centre for Public Integrity
Centre for Public Integrity
Podcast Description
Australia's leading democracy research institute invites you to take a peek under the bonnet of our parliamentary system as we interview key decision-makers and subject matter experts.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Focuses on political structures, decision-making processes, and current legislative challenges, with episodes exploring the implications of community independence, the operating conditions of the 47th Parliament, and specific case studies such as Kate Chaney's journey as an independent MP.
Australia’s leading democracy research institute invites you to join us as we explore the inner workings of politics, policy and public integrity. With a commitment to elevating public discourse, this new series offers three distinct perspectives:
- Decision Makers: The Hon Michael Barker KC interviews parliamentarians, revealing the challenges, successes and outstanding issues that they have encountered.
- In the Weeds: Executive Director, Dr Catherine Williams, unpacks the nuances of policy design with leading experts.
- The Centre: Quentin Dempster AM delves into the personal journeys of our experts, sharing the stories that inspired their commitment to transparency and accountability.
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
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