Media Release - Best Practice Principles for Australian Anti-Corruption Commissions

Nation’s integrity chiefs agree to best practice principles for Australian anti-corruption commissions

In recognition of International Anti-Corruption Day, we, the Commissioners of independent, anti-corruption and law enforcement integrity agencies in Australia, are pleased to launch 12 principles that we consider represent best practice for Anti-Corruption Commissions in an Australian jurisdiction.

In considering these principles, we note that Anti-Corruption Commissions have become an important element in the integrity frameworks in place at the State, Territory and Federal level in Australia, to investigate and report on allegations of corruption by public sector employees, holders of public office, individuals and entities contracted to perform public functions and people responsible for spending public money.

Anti-Corruption Commissions also perform an important corruption prevention role by exposing systemic risks and providing public education.

Supporting the public sector to strengthen its corruption resistance through information, advice and education is a vital role for Anti-Corruption Commissions and the key to building a public sector that acts with integrity for all Australians.

These 12 principles are designed to capture the fundamental functions and powers of Anti-Corruption Commissions, noting this important role.

The 12 best practice principles are:

The ability to consider referrals from any third party
The ability to commence an investigation on own volition (own motion powers)
A requirement for the heads of public sector agencies to report allegations of corruption to the Anti-Corruption Commission
The ability to conduct public and private hearings to obtain evidence
The ability to require the production of information or documents
The ability to refer matters to a prosecuting authority
The ability to make recommendations
The ability to report on investigations and make public statements
A corruption prevention function
A sufficient and predictable budget
Transparency of appointments
Appropriate oversight

View the 12 best practice principles in more detail on this link.

We are proud to launch these 12 best practice principles today, on International Anti-Corruption Day, and reinforce our collective commitment to prevent, detect and investigate corruption in the Australian public sector.

Media enquiries

For queries and further information, please refer to the respective federal, state and territory media contacts below.

Australian Commission into Law Enforcement Integrity

media@aclei.gov.au

ACT Integrity Commission

media@integrity.act.gov.au

Crime and Corruption Commission | QLD

media@ccc.qld.gov.au

Corruption and Crime Commission | WA

mariem@millswilson.com.au

Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission | VIC

media@ibac.vic.gov.au