Corruption
Australia recognises the destructive effects that corruption has on society.
Corruption undermines democracy, the rule of law, distorts market forces and facilitates activities such as organised crime and terrorism.
Australia’s approach to fighting corruption is based on four key elements:
- constitutional safeguards
- accountability and transparency
- criminalisation of corruption, and
- international cooperation and technical assistance.
Corruption is not just one country’s problem and, in recognition of this, Australia is an active participant in international initiatives including:
- ratifying the United Nations Convention against Corruption on 7 December 2005
- ratifying the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime on 27 May 2004
- ratifying the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions on 18 October 1999
- participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts Task Force
- participating in the Asian Development Bank OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for the Asia Pacific, and
- participating in monitoring exercises operated by both the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering and the Commonwealth Secretariat on anti-money laundering measures.