The Centre for Public Integrity conducts research into preventing corruption through a National Integrity Commission.

A National Integrity Commission is needed to investigate allegations and expose corruption in the federal government and public sector. There is currently no institution with the remit and powers necessary to investigate allegations of misconduct involving federal parliamentarians or the public service. The Commission must have a broad jurisdiction and the strong investigative powers of a Royal Commission, including the ability to hold public hearings.

National Integrity Commission publications

Comparing the federal anti-corruption proposals with the existing states/territory model

November 18, 2022

Across Australia there are different models for anti-corruption bodies. At a state/territory level these bodies are operational. Federally there are a variety of proposals. In this paper we compare the differences in jurisdiction, procedure, reporting and referrals.

ACHIEVING INTEGRITY

November 10, 2022

The Centre for Public Integrity has determined a FIVE step roadmap to improve integrity in Victoria.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022: essential amendments

October 14, 2022

While the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022 (the Bill) proposes a laudable broad definition of corrupt conduct, it does not propose to capture corrupt conduct by third parties where there is no wrongdoing by a relevant public official. This is a significant deficiency of the legislation;

Public hearings: Busting the myth of undue reputational damage

October 13, 2022

The power to hold public hearings when it is in the public interest to do so is indispensable to the work of an effective integrity commission. Indeed, all states and territories – with the exception of Victoria and South Australia – have acknowledged the importance of this power by conferring it upon their commissions. In spite of this, the recently tabled National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022 (Cth) (‘NACC Bill’) proposes that public hearings should only be able to be held after an additional ‘exceptional circumstances’ threshold is met.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022 – Will Australia finally get a fit for purpose national integrity commission?

September 30, 2022

Is the NACC fit for purpose? Does it address the public need for retrospectivity, independence of funding, the autonomy of decision-making, and public hearings for the public good?

Sharpening the watchdog’s teeth – How to strengthen the Victorian IBAC

August 10, 2022

In order to ensure that the Victorian IBAC has the powers it needs to fulfil its statutory mandate, the Centre for Public Integrity recommends that:

Public hearings shine light on corruption – Sunlight is the best disinfectant

April 6, 2022

Public hearings expose corruption to the public and make investigations more effective. They have been critical to recent Victorian IBAC and NSW ICAC investigations.

Designing the National Integrity Commission

February 7, 2022

The essential elements of an a fit-for-purpose Commission include; a broad jurisdiction; strong investigative powers; the ability to hold public hearings and report publicly; guaranteed independence; and appropriate oversight

A Design Framework for the establishment of a strong and effective National Integrity Commission

November 1, 2021

Our design framework for a National Integrity Commission has been developed by former judges, integrity experts and academics from across Australia.

Australia’s Weakest Watchdog

October 1, 2021

Our analysis of the nation’s integrity commissions concludes that the strongest and most effective ones share the following powers:

Members of the National Integrity Commission project committee are:

 

  • The Hon Stephen Charles AO QC, former judge of the Victorian Court of Appeal
  • The Hon Barbara Cotterell, former Victorian Magistrate and County Court judge
  • Nicholas Cowdery AO QC, former Director of Public Prosecutions of NSW
  • Adjunct Professor Colleen Lewis, Monash University