G20 credibility now depends on action... and accountability! Anti-corruption outcomes from Brisbane

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[Facilitator’s note: Thank you to A J Brown, Centre for Governance & Public Policy, Queensland,

Dear friends and colleagues

Congratulations to all involved in shepherding our G20 leaders to adopt a more focused, structured G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan than ever before, last weekend in our home town Brisbane -- especially Australian and Italian anti-corruption working group co-chairs, Alex Taylor and Stefano Mogini.

In the international media centre (below), it became clear the new commitments were not just a side-story to the Summit.  Especially when US President Barak Obama listed the G20's new principles for cracking down on anonymous shell companies, the key vehicles for international corruption, tax evasion and other illicit activities, as number 3 on the list of summit outcomes.

Of course, the US Administration continues to face major challenges in getting the necessary corporate accountability reforms through the US Congress.  It's a major problem when it is US states like Delaware, not stereotypical little tax havens, that are the biggest problems.

But the good news is, at least we all know the US faces these challenges... and in the fine-print of the G20's Accountability Reports, also released last weekend, the USA tells this truth about its own situation.

Not so, other countries unfortunately... including this year's president, Australia, and next year's Turkey.

You can go to our program website, and listen to this morning's ABC Radio National Breakfast, for a brief analysis of some of the key outcomes, and problems in the way that G20 countries are reporting their performance against their anti-corruption commitments, on key issues like beneficial ownership and whistleblower protection.

And why governments, IGOs, civil society and experts need to work together on better monitoring and accountability in the future.

There are also even bigger challenges for the Australian government to live up to its achievements in the G20 process this year.  While focused on leading the world, a backlog of domestic anti-corruption reforms has built up.  My colleague Jason Sharman pointed out a couple more, in this blog on the eve of the Summit.

Another little measure, due for release very soon on 3 December, will be whether Australia is holding its position, gaining or slipping on Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index.  So keep an eye out for that.  

We look forward to keeping you up to date on key research and policy issues arising from the G20 anti-corruption action plan... and to supporting the Turkish and US co-chairs of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group, and civil society colleagues led by Transparency International Turkey's Oya Ozarslan, in the important work of the G20 in 2015. 

With best wishes

Dr A J Brown
Professor of Public Policy & Law
Program Leader, Public Integrity & Anti-Corruption
Centre for Governance & Public Policy, Griffith University, Nathan QLD 4111 Australi
A.J.Brown@griffith.edu.au

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