The decision of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to reconsider its decision in investigating Robodebt Royal Commission referrals shows the NACC will be held to high public standards and the important role of the Inspector.
Following public complaints, strong media pressure and the Inspector of the NACC’s report into the issue, this decision reinforces the NACC has a role as an integrity building function, not just as reactive anti-corruption function.
The Inspector found that Commissioner did not adequately remove himself from the decision-making process – despite his intention to do so and that the NACC had inaccurately claimed that other government inquiries would be sufficient to ensure appropriate sanctions in those individual cases.
Professor A J Brown, Chair of Transparency International Australia made the following comments:
“Australians have high expectations that the NACC should deliver on its mandate and not be another faceless government agency, accountable to no one,”
“The NACC has an important role to investigate serious abuse of office that breaches public trust, regardless of whether it meets the narrow definition of ‘corruption’.
“The challenge for the NACC now is whether a narrow, legalistic approach to corrupt conduct marries with its unique broader powers, and high public expectations, to act more holistically as a positive public integrity agency.”
Clancy Moore, CEO of Transparency International Australia made the following comments:
“Integrity and anti-corruption commission are not just about compliance with rules and standards. They are also about justice”
“We encourage the NACC to deliver on its broad mandate to investigating accountability and integrity within public administration, that breaches the public trust.”