The Hon Justice Paul Brereton AM RFD SC Commissioner, National Anti-Corruption Commission says despite three decades of advancements in Australia’s integrity landscape, the need for ongoing vigilance “cannot be denied.”  

“In the last few months alone we’ve seen the New South Wales ICAC enquiry find a former Premier engage in corrupt conduct, we’ve seen the release of the report of the robot debt commission, we’ve seen ongoing revelations concerning the conduct containing to consultants to government, and we’ve seen the IBAC report on Op-Sandon,” Brereton said.  

“They all involve the manifestations of trends and tendencies that are inimical to good government.” 

While specifying that Australia may never be completely free from corruption merely due to human nature, Brereton emphasized that it was a worthy ambition.

“Corruption is essentially about the misuse of public power, position or property, at least usually, for private purposes,” he said.

“Corruption diverts government resources, reducing what’s available to deliver the services and the benefits that they’re intended to provide.

“Corruption erodes public trust in government and in the institutions of state, and in that way, it undermines democracy.

“And this is equally so whether the perpetrators are popular or unpopular, whether they are in government or in opposition; and whether they are public servants or consultants.” 

Brereton says NAC and the integrity landscape was a critical component of this. “One aspect of creating an Australia free of corruption is creating a more open and accountable government.” 

“The establishment that was of NAC is a pivotal moment in that endeavor,” he said.  

“But it is important that we don’t overreach and to remember that mere mistakes, wrong decisions, and even gross and negligent administration are not in themselves corrupt conduct.” 

With oversight of corporate Australia sub-contracting from the Australian Government, Brereton says his message is two-fold.

“There is a bit of caution in it, but also a bit of reassurance in it,” Brereton alludes.

For those employed by an entity that contracts with the commonwealth and involved in the performance of that contract, Brereton confirms that “you’re probably a commonwealth public official.”

“That doesn’t mean that corporate Australia has to change its behavior or learn a new code of conduct,” he said.

“Our act doesn’t introduce new standards of behavior. What we define as corrupt conduct has always been corrupt and improper.  

“It’s not new that it’s wrong. What’s new is that there is an institution, an agency, to monitor, detect and enforce those standards.

“So those who are behaving ethically at the moment have nothing to be concerned about.”