The new corruption watchdog appears to have its work cut out for it after it received a massive upsurge of complaints.
Officially opening on July 1, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been tasked with stopping corrupt conduct involving Commonwealth officials, ministers, parliamentarians, and their staff.
In a media statement on July 5, the Commission said that as of the close of business on July 4, it had received over 300 reports, with 186 coming from online submissions and 116 over the phone.
Commissioner Paul Brereton warned against attempts to weaponise the NACC via “inappropriate or unfounded referrals” saying it could cause “unfair damage to reputations.”
“We will assess all the matters of which we are aware to decide whether they should be investigated,” Mr. Brereton said.
“I want the commission to have the reputation of being fearless but fair, independent, and impartial.
Inaugural commissioner Paul Brereton makes the opening address of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Canberra, Australia on July 3, 2023. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)“While the legislation gives us great powers, with that comes great responsibility.”
The caution comes after Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce accused the left-wing Australian Greens of already planning to leverage the body for political gain.
“The Greens have already started politicising it,” he said, pointing to Greens Senator Barbara Pocock referring consultancy firm PwC to the NACC following its federal document leak scandal.
Senator Pocock, who has been instrumental in uncovering corrupt practices by consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, said the NACC could not have opened at a better time.
“Our public standard of transparency of the spending of public money has fallen a lot in the last ten years,” she told ABC radio.
“What I’ve done is listen to a lot of Australians who want their money spent on the things that need to be funded. They want corruption and poor behaviour in the government called out.
Greens Senator Barbara Pocock and Greens leader Adam Bandt arrive at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, November 9, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)“At last, we have a federal body with the powers to investigate serious corruption, and there couldn’t be a better time for the NACC to open its doors than right now.”
The senator also reminded Australians that anyone could refer instances of corruption in the government to the NACC.
“Any Australian citizen can refer instances of corruption in government to the NACC, and that is what I have done today in my capacity as a concerned member of the Australian public,” said the senator after completing an online notification about PwC, shortly after the NACC website went live.
“There must be a bucket load of NACC referrals being submitted (because) the SUBMIT button isn’t working. Nevertheless: mine is done!” Senator Pocock said in a Twitter post on Saturday morning.