This is the Commission’s monthly update for February, providing visibility to the media and the public on our key activities and work underway.
As at 11 February, we are conducting 33 preliminary investigations and 35 corruption investigations. Four of our matters are currently before the courts, and since our commencement 11 convictions have been secured as a result of investigations we have commenced or continued.
Appeal dismissed in Operation Hay
On 9 February, the County Court of Victoria dismissed an appeal from former Australian Tax Office (ATO) employee Kasey Harries against her sentence for falsely claiming Victorian and Australian Government payments using the sensitive information and records of 4 taxpayers.
Ms Harries had previously been sentenced to a total effective sentence of 5 months imprisonment.
This conviction and sentencing stemmed from Operation Hay, a joint investigation commenced by the former Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) and the ATO. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) took on responsibility for this and other ACLEI investigations on commencing operations on 1 July 2023.
The NACC has now secured 11 convictions in prosecutions arising from investigations initiated or continued since commencing operations. The matter was prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth).
APSACC early-bird registration extended
Early-bird registration for the Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference (APSACC), to be hosted by the NACC in Canberra from 7-9 September 2026, has been extended to 13 February.
Sessions already confirmed for APSACC 2026 include exploring whistleblower protections, and automated decision-making and artificial intelligence.
APSACC is Australia's leading anti-corruption event, attracting industry leaders and experts from across state and territory, federal, public and private sectors, as well as around the world.
To register or for more information, visit the APSACC 2026 website.
Inspector’s complaint investigation
On 6 February, the NACC was notified by the Inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission that she was commencing a complaint investigation under Section 184(1)(e) of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act regarding Commissioner Brereton’s involvement in defence-related referrals and his assistance to the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force.
The NACC and Commissioner Brereton will respond to the Inspector within the framework and processes of the investigation. The NACC has already voluntarily provided a large amount of documentation and information in response to the Inspector’s preliminary inquiries. It is otherwise inappropriate for the NACC to comment on matters the subject of the Inspector’s investigation.