It is yet to hold a public hearing. Its decision regarding the Robodebt referrals was subject to adverse findings. And its findings so far have been limited.
Reform is needed if the NACC is to win the confidence of the Australian people.
It comes as new polling research from The Australia Institute, undertaken in collaboration with the Human Rights Law Centre and Whistleblower Justice Fund, finds Australians overwhelmingly support a Whistleblower Protection Authority.
Key findings
- 84% of Australians support the establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Authority.
- Polling research last year found that 67% of Australians say that public hearings should be held more frequently than the current legislation stipulates, under either unlimited circumstances or when a public hearing would be in the public interest.
- Nine thousand Australians have signed a petition calling for five key reforms:
- Immediately bring forward the independent review of the NACC
- Give the NACC the power to hold public hearings whenever it is in the public interest
- Expand the Inspector's powers to review more of the NACC's operations
- Ensure no party has the majority vote on the NACC's parliamentary committee
- Implement a Whistleblower Protection Authority
"When the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) was created in 2022, Australians had high expectations, given a string of high-profile integrity issues in government had been identified," said Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability Program at The Australia Institute.
"Expanding the scope of the NACC Inspector and allowing for a non-government majority on the committee scrutinising the NACC would improve oversight of this important body.
"A Whistleblower Protection Authority would support and protect whistleblowers, who risk their own health, careers and, in some cases, freedom in order to expose wrongdoing.
"The NACC is yet to hold a public hearing, but public hearings are important to ensure that justice is done and to reassure Australians that the NACC is functioning well.
"Australia Institute polling research confirms that Australians overwhelmingly believe that the NACC should be empowered to hold public hearings whenever they are in the public interest."
