Democracy depends on trust, trust comes from transparency and accountability. While the great majority of Australian politicians and public servants act with integrity – this museum focuses on the times when they did not.

The instances highlighted in this Museum shows what can go wrong if we are not always aware, informed and vigilant.

The events highlighted are those that have tested our democratic systems, have shaped public accountability and reveal the importance of scrutiny, transparency and reform. It does so not to dismiss public service which is a worthy and essential calling, It is to better understand how institutions are tested and how they can be strengthened. The good politicians and bureaucrats will not grace these pages unless they are the ones who exposed the scandal.

“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” David Morrison, Australian Chief of Army

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.“ Lord Acton

Exhibition Halls

• Policy Disasters
• Public Sector Failures
• Corruption and Misconduct

Featured Case

Robo-debt – a large scale failure of automated governance and administrative oversight.

About the Museum

This site documents major failures in public policy and administration, structured as a permanent archive rather than commentary.

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