It has been a messy week in Australian politics, with corruption scandals engulfing both New South Wales and Victoria. In NSW, the Liberal party faced the corruption watchdog over allegations of branch stacking and illegal donations. In Victoria, the noise around the so-called Big Build brought down a premier and threatens to further alienate already aggrieved voters.
NSW Liberal Party under Icac scrutiny
The New South Wales Liberal Party has been called before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) over allegations of branch stacking and illegal donations. According to Anne Davies, secret tape recordings and 'sham' payments have laid bare the party's internal ideological war. Icac hit paydirt as Reformers' 'shit sheets' were given a very public airing, exposing the depth of the scandal.
Victoria's Big Build scandal
In Victoria, the Big Build infrastructure program has become a major political issue. Benita Kolovos reports that perceived inaction on Big Build corruption could see Jacinta Allan's leadership demolished. The scandal has already brought down a premier and threatens to further damage public trust. The Labor right is back in power in Victoria, and questions are being raised about where its new 'Kmart Keating' premier will take the state.
A bad week for trust in politics
Josephine Tovey, joined by Mike Ticher, Patrick Keneally, and Anne Davies, discussed the implications of these scandals. The week has been described as a bad week for trust in politics, with both major parties facing serious allegations. The full story podcast delves into the details of the scandals and their potential impact on the political landscape.
