A cover-up refers to an intentional effort to conceal information, evidence, or wrongdoing from the public or from those in positions of authority. A cover-up can be done in order to protect an individual, organization, or government from the consequences of their actions.
How a Cover-up Can Be Done:
- Destroying or Hiding Evidence: Physical or digital evidence of the wrongdoing can be destroyed or hidden in order to prevent it from being discovered.
- Lying or Misrepresenting the Facts: False statements or misinformation can be used to mislead the public or those in positions of authority about the events in question.
- Intimidating Witnesses: Witnesses to the wrongdoing can be intimidated or threatened in order to prevent them from coming forward with information.
- Paying Off Whistleblowers: Whistleblowers can be offered financial incentives or other forms of compensation in exchange for remaining silent about the wrongdoing.
Examples of Exposed Cover-ups in Australia:
- The Banking Royal Commission: In 2018, the Banking Royal Commission in Australia exposed a widespread culture of cover-ups within the banking sector, including practices such as charging customers for services they did not receive, hiding evidence of misconduct from regulators, and concealing information from the public.
- The Australian Defence Force: In 2020, a series of investigations into the Australian Defence Force (ADF) exposed a culture of cover-ups and retaliation against whistleblowers within the ADF, including incidents of bullying, harassment, and intimidation of personnel who came forward with information about misconduct.
- The Australian Tax Office: In 2019, a number of high-profile scandals within the Australian Tax Office (ATO) were exposed, including allegations of corruption, misconduct, and cover-ups of internal investigations into the actions of ATO employees
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