This is the Commission’s monthly update for September, providing visibility to the media and the public on our key activities and work underway.
As at 10 September, we are conducting 33 preliminary investigations and 38 corruption investigations. Four of our matters are currently before the courts, and since our commencement 10 convictions have been secured as a result of investigations we have commenced or continued.
Key public highlights from the last month include:
New guide: Conflicts of interest and corrupt conduct
Conflicts of interest are inevitable for public officials. Most do not result in corrupt conduct. However, most corrupt conduct arises from a conflict between an official’s public duty and their private interest.
Our new guide, Conflicts of interest and corrupt conduct, assists all Commonwealth public officials – Australian Public Service employees, employees of Commonwealth companies, contractors, parliamentarians and members of parliamentary staff – to recognise, disclose, declare, monitor and manage real, apparent and potential conflicts of interest, so that they do not create corruption risks.
See Research and guides.
Together with conflict-of-interest management resources from the Department of Finance and the Australian Public Service Commission, this Guide provides consistent and practical advice to support integrity and maintain public trust across the Commonwealth public sector.
See:
- APS Conflict of Interest Management Framework: Better Practice Model
- Managing conflicts of interest and confidentiality with the non-government sector (RMG 208)
Legal financial assistance for witnesses
All persons summoned to give evidence before the Commission are advised that they may apply to the Attorney-General for financial assistance in respect of their legal representation. However, we do not provide legal financial assistance to witnesses and do not make nor are involved in any decisions regarding applications for legal financial assistance.
For more information, visit the Attorney-General’s Department’s website.
Corporate Plan 2025–29
On Monday 18 August, we published our Corporate Plan 2025–29, our strategic blueprint for the next 4 years.
The Corporate Plan 2025–29 describes our remit, our powers and what we do, and explains why it takes time for us to carry out our work, and why confidentiality is important to our operations.
Commission appears at whistleblowing inquiry
On Wednesday 13 August, Chief Executive Officer Philip Reed and General Manager, Legal, Rebekah O’Meagher appeared before the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee’s inquiry into the Whistleblower Protection Bill 2025. We responded to questions from senators ranging from challenges in receiving whistleblower disclosures to the support we provide to whistleblowers.
While our Act does not use the term ‘whistleblowers’, it does provide protections to anyone who refers a corruption issue, or provides information or evidence, to us. They cannot be subject to any civil, criminal or administrative liability (including disciplinary action) for doing so, and no contractual or other right or remedy can be enforced against them. Taking a reprisal against them for making a disclosure to us is a criminal offence.
All witnesses including whistleblowers have access to our specialist Witness Liaison Team to help them access information and support.
See Protections for referrers, whistleblowers and witnesses.
Transparency International Australia summit
On Thursday 21 August, Commissioner the Hon Paul Brereton AM RFD SC and Deputy Commissioner Kylie Kilgour spoke in separate sessions at Transparency International Australia’s Anti-Corruption Summit.
Taking part in a panel discussion on ethical decision-making, Commissioner Brereton outlined key principles for ethical decision-making in the public sector. He also spoke of the importance of an organisation’s culture, and the role of leaders in fostering that culture.
In a panel discussion on whistleblowing and the cost of speaking out, Deputy Commissioner Kilgour explained the support and protections available to all individuals who make disclosures to us, and how we have engaged with and supported whistleblowers.
New PJC-NACC appointed
We acknowledge the appointment of new members to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission for the 48th Parliament, and in particular welcome the Hon Kate Thwaites MP and Dr Helen Haines MP as Chair and Deputy Chair, respectively.
The Committee has an important oversight role in relation to the Commission, and we look forward to engaging with its members during this term of Parliament.
See Oversight.