Over the last three years, the NACC has developed from a new organisation finding its feet into one actively investigating corruption and supporting prosecutions, as well as the historic caseload inherited from the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI).

With the announcement of Commissioner Paul Brereton’s resignation, Transparency International (TI) Australia acknowledges the significance of Commissioner Brereton’s work in standing up an institution from scratch.

Building a new federal anti-corruption body is not a small task, and the foundations of the NACC’s prevention, detection and investigation functions were laid on his watch.

The next Commissioner must be appointed through a transparent, merit-based process, with full parliamentary scrutiny and no perception of political favouritism. Anything less risks compounding the trust deficit the NACC already faces.

Clancy Moore, CEO of TI Australia, said:

“Showing the public how it prevents and combats corruption through public inquiry, public hearings and growing awareness will help build much needed trust and cement its role the next phase of the organisation.”

“Unfortunately, the NACC under Commissioner Brereton has been clouded in perceptions of conflict of interests and criticisms of the handling of the Robodebt scandal.”

 

Professor AJ Brown, chair of TI Australia, said:

“The NACC has enormous potential to be the anti-corruption body Australians fought hard for.

“The NACC is proving it is good at the technical job of anti-corruption investigations. It’s how it addresses its wider purpose, and builds a better relationship with the public, which remains the big challenge confronting this young, vital and hard-won institution.”