As used in this paper, "corruption" is the "exploitation of public office for personal gain." Corruption can involve the accepting of money to use public office for the special benefit of the payer (bribery), as well as the demanding of money to use public power in a certain way (extortion). Other forms of corruption are misappropriation of public assets for personal use (embezzlement), a false claim for benefits (fraud), or profiting incidentally from an official act (conflict of interest). The causes of corruption are rooted in motivation, opportunity, and the absence of a capable guardian of the public trust. After discussing the measurement of corruption, this paper considers ways of controlling corruption, using the strategies of various Australian jurisdictions as examples. Recommendations are in the areas of public disclosure and media access to the activities of public officials, as well as the structuring of government activities so as to limit opportunities for corruption. 13 references