---
title: The Australia Institute — Democracy & Accountability Program
type: research
status: active
country: AU
website: https://australiainstitute.org.au/about/structure/democracy-accountability/
logo: /assets/org-logos/australia-institute-democracy.png
contact:
  checked: 2026-08-01
  email: mail@australiainstitute.org.au
  form: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/contact
  phone: 02 6130 0530
  source: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/contact
summary: A dedicated research and advocacy program within The Australia Institute
  focused on diagnosing and addressing Australia's democratic deficit — covering truth
  in political advertising, parliamentary reform, anti-corruption institutions, and
  campaign finance.
concepts:
- accountability-sink
- constitutional-democracy
- representative-democracy
location:
  latitude: -35.2809
  longitude: 149.13
  name: Canberra, Australia
  precision: city
rss_feed: https://australiainstitute.org.au/feed
events:
- date: '2026-08-17'
  title: Dr Hugh Saddler Memorial Lecture 2026 — Shane Rattenbury on how the ACT turned
    climate ambition into action, National Film and Sound Archive ACT
  url: https://australiainstitute.org.au/event/dr-hugh-saddler-memorial-lecture-2026-shane-rattenbury/
  quote: Join us at the 2026 Dr Hugh Saddler Memorial Lecture, featuring former ACT
    Minister, Greens Leader, and long‑serving parliamentarian Shane Rattenbury.
  proof_level: high
  url_checked: '2026-08-20'
  notable: false
  type: lecture
  location: National Film and Sound Archive, Canberra ACT
- date: '2026-09-15'
  title: Climate Integrity Summit 2026 — global leaders, economists and advocates
    on Australia's fossil fuel exit, Parliament of NSW Sydney
  url: https://australiainstitute.org.au/events/climate-integrity-summit/
  quote: The Climate Integrity Summit convenes leading experts in economics, ecology,
    policy and governance to discuss a credible and achievable climate policy that
    serves the Australian people and the broader global community.
  proof_level: high
  url_checked: '2026-08-20'
  notable: true
  type: conference
  location: Parliament of NSW, Sydney
activity:
  dod:
    checked: 2026-07-19
    date: 2026-07-19
    note: Website live; Democracy & Accountability program page current.
    url: https://australiainstitute.org.au/about/structure/democracy-accountability/
  rss:
    date: 2026-08-17
    note: 'Latest post: What’s the point of gambling reform?'
    url: https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/whats-the-point-of-gambling-reform/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=whats-the-point-of-gambling-reform
    checked: 2026-08-17
last_checked: '2026-07-19'
---

The Democracy & Accountability Program is a dedicated research and advocacy program within [The Australia Institute](https://australiainstitute.org.au), a Canberra-based progressive think tank. Established in 2021, it builds on the Institute's longer history of democracy-related research.

The program is directed by **Bill Browne** and focuses on practical reforms to improve the functioning of Australian democracy.

## Core focus areas

- **Truth in political advertising** — advocates for laws making it illegal to make false claims in political advertising, modelled on South Australia's existing framework; polling has shown large public support
- **Parliamentary expansion** — research on increasing the size of parliament to improve representation, given each MP now represents significantly more constituents than at Federation
- **Anti-corruption and integrity** — work on strengthening the National Anti-Corruption Commission, whistleblower protections, and lobbying transparency
- **Campaign finance** — research on donation disclosure, caps, and spending limits
- **Senate and parliamentary procedure** — research on the Senate's role, four-year fixed terms, and related reforms

## Links

- Website: [australiainstitute.org.au](https://australiainstitute.org.au/about/structure/democracy-accountability/)
- Annual review: [Australian Democracy in 2025](https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/australian-democracy-in-2025/)

## See also

- [Accountability Sink](../concepts/accountability-sink.md)
- [Constitutional Democracy](../concepts/constitutional-democracy.md)
- [Representative Democracy](../concepts/representative-democracy.md)
- [Australian Democracy Network](australian-democracy-network.md)