Kate Thwaites (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission, I present the following reports: Examination of the Inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission annual report 2024-25 and Examination of the National Anti-Corruption Commission annual report 2024-25, incorporating a dissenting report.

Reports made parliamentary papers in accordance with standing order 39(e).

by leave—The NACC holds a very significant role in Australia's democratic architecture. Its role in investigating and deterring serious or systemic corruption is central to maintaining trust in Commonwealth governance and institutions. This is supported by the NACC's broader work and its functions in anticorruption education, monitoring and reporting.

In the committee's examination of the 2024-25 reporting period, the committee has noted the growing scale and complexity of the NACC's work. The NACC has received a significant volume of referrals and progressed assessments, preliminary investigations and corruption investigations across a range of matters and subject areas, including procurement, recruitment and senior public sector decision-making.

The committee's examination has recognised this important work the NACC has undertaken, and we have also identified areas for further improvement. It's important for me to note that the committee does not oversight or reprosecute individual investigative outcomes, as this is not part of our oversight role.

The committee has made three recommendations as a result of our examination. These are focused on improving the timeliness of the NACC's processes, improving the effectiveness of the NACC's communication with referrers, and improving the focus the NACC brings to building public confidence.

Further to this examination, the committee has also commenced a standalone inquiry into aspects of the commission's performance in fulfilling its functions. I look forward to examining emerging issues in greater depth as part of the committee's broader oversight responsibilities under the NACC Act.

The committee has also examined the NACC inspector's annual report and acknowledges the significant work of the inspector during the 2024-25 reporting period. During this period, the inspector received 75 complaints, compared with 50 complaints in the first year of operation.

These complaints include the NACC not investigating a particular referral; challenges in communicating with the NACC; and concerns about the time it takes the NACC to respond to referrals.

The committee has noted the inspector's decision to investigate the complaints received about the NACC commissioner's involvement in defence related referrals and his ongoing role with the IGADF, as complaints of agency maladministration or officer misconduct under section 184(1)(e) of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022.

The committee acknowledges the considered approach the inspector is taking to this issue, and we appreciate the transparency with which she's communicated with the committee and the public.

I want to thank the NACC and the NACC inspector for their engagement throughout this examination and this report. Thank you to my fellow committee members, including the deputy chair, the member for Indi, for their work, and to the committee secretariat for their ongoing support.

I commend the reports to the House.

Helen Haines (Indi, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—The year 2024-25 reflects the second year of operation for the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and these reports represent the second time the parliamentary joint committee has undertaken its statutory function of examining the annual reports of the NACC and the NACC inspector. This is an important part of the committee's oversight role because it provides a yearly opportunity to review the performance of Australia's federal integrity body and its watchdog. Are these offices properly resourced? How are they spending their time? What activities are they focused on? Are they fulfilling their mandates? We ask these questions on behalf of all Australians, who have a right to expect a federal integrity body that delivers real accountability.

It's through the annual report that we learned the NACC has held 24 private hearings over more than 30 days in its purpose built hearing room but not one single one in public. It was my questioning that revealed the commissioner's understanding of his conflicts of interest is not shared by his deputies. We heard from the inspector about the types of complaints her office is receiving and the underlying issues they point towards. I thank the inspector for her frank and open engagement with the committee.

I'd also like to acknowledge the work of the chair, the member for Jagajaga, and of the other members of the committee as well as our hardworking secretariat. As a result of our examination, the committee has made three recommendations to the National Anti-Corruption Commission around addressing the backlog of referrals, exploring ways to communicate more effectively with referrers and building public confidence and trust in its systems and processes. I look forward to monitoring progress against these clear objectives.

Parliamentary oversight is a crucial part of the federal integrity system. I take my role as deputy chair of this committee very seriously. The establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission was a hard fought reform, and I stand committed to seeing it succeed.