A catastrophic mix of populist tax cuts,an ill-planned push for organic farming and political hubris sowed the seeds of the tragedy now unfolding in Sri Lanka.
The ICAC is investigating whether three former Hurstville councillors accepted perks from Chinese developers in exchange for supporting their developments.
If Australia does not extend anti-money laundering laws to secondary professions,such as lawyers and accountants,then experts say money laundering will continue to thrive.
The man who employed and oversaw the convicted fraudster during his time at the Department of Housing conceded the “gamekeeper became the poacher” as soon as he arrived.
A planning consultant who was invited to restaurants with councillors and Chinese developers to discuss a major project at Hurstville has told a corruption inquiry the meetings were “highly unusual”.
Hatzistergos will take over the reins at the state’s corruption watchdog after a tumultuous time for the integrity agency amid intense scrutiny.
Former Hurstville councillor Vince Badalati told an inquiry he wanted to tell the truth about cash he and a colleague accepted from Chinese property developers.
The advent of an integrity commission should send a chill through any party tempted to shower the electorates it holds with taxpayers’ money.
Victoria’s public sector watchdog has rejected claims that it was unfair in its treatment of an allegedly corrupt property developer,in a report that has been kept under wraps for months.
In his first interview as the country’s top law officer,Mark Dreyfus,said legislating Labor’s promised national integrity commission was his paramount priority.
Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long,one of the highest-ranking government officials,has also been expelled.