Centre for the Study of Corruption

On 25 November 2025 FIFA decided that one of football’s global superstars, Cristiano Ronaldo, would indeed be allowed to play in all of his country’s games at the 2026 World Cup finals. The decision will no doubt by cheered by…

In this final blog in a 4-part series on Elite Cartels in Tasmania, Robyn A. Lewis1 and Michael Johnston2 draw on experiences elsewhere to suggest potential anti-corruption reforms.   Elite3 Cartels (ECs) operate subtly – often legally and opaquely – contributing…

Professor Robert Barrington explores the implications of using anti-terrorist laws against Palestine Action, arguing that civil society plays a key role in the UK’s anti-corruption architecture and applying such laws to campaigners can set a dangerous precedent which a future…

Robyn A. Lewis[1]Michael Johnston[2] Australia’s island state Tasmania faces another cluster of economic, social and environmental crises. Despite intermittent growth, Tasmania remains Australia’s poorest, least dynamic state. In 2023-24, GSP[3] per capita was A$70,679, 73% of Australia’s per capita GDP…

Professor Robert Barrington reflects on the UK government’s plans for the upcoming Lammy Summit, drawing on past examples to consider what the initiative might signal about current efforts to address corruption and illicit finance. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced in May 2024…

In this second post on Tasmania, Robyn A. Lewis[1] and Professor Michael Johnston[2] examine corruption in Australia’s smallest state through the lens of the Elite Cartel syndrome, highlighting its sources and continued dominance. Our previous post illustrates how Tasmania exemplifies…

Robyn A. Lewis [1] and Professor Michael Johnston[2] examine the concept of Elite Cartels, and how it might be applied to the Australian state of Tasmania. This is the first of a short series of blogs on Tasmania.How corrupt is…