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Administrative law is a large and dynamic field of law relating to the supervision and correction of executive government action. It is an important modern application of the ‘rule of law’. This course, ‘Government Accountability’, builds on earlier administrative law study (that focused on core principles and citizen-driven accountability) to build a broader understanding of the more sophisticated and specialised executive accountability mechanisms, the operation of administrative law at the peripheries of conventional governmental activity, and the overall trajectory of relevant evolutions in Australian law. It also seeks to develop students with advanced understanding of key contemporary issues in the field. This content will be particularly useful for students intending to work in or for government, or in any highly regulated field. Students will further develop advanced communication and research skills through various items of assessment.

Government Accountability is available in the Master of Laws, Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) programs. It explores at an advanced level the evolution of key principles and frameworks in Australian administrative law, and the problematic and now fading `public/private divide'. It examines the drivers, structures and core operations of the bourgeoning `integrity sector' in Australia - which includes auditors-general, anti-corruption bodies, public sector commissioners, freedom of information commissioners and ombudsman offices. The course also focusses in on select contemporary pressure points in current law and policy, and the broader patterns and trajectories that these reflect. It is delivered in four extended seminars (two seminars in each of two weeks), and will involve supervised research tasks and assignments.

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1. evaluate developments in chosen areas of Australian administrative law and policy (and government accountability more generally), and critically examine the relationship between those developments and contemporary theory and practice (PO 1).
2. undertake, interpret and evaluate legal research on administrative law and policy (and government accountability) using advanced legal research methodologies and techniques (PO 3).
3. articulate advanced knowledge of relevant law and policy in specific and broader written communications (PO 4).