Earlier this week, US space agency NASA successfully tested a first-of-its-kind planetary defence system that could protect our planet from incoming asteroids and comets in the future. Back on Earth, the Australian government is making some history of its own by addressing a more terrestrial threat – corruption.
After years of debate, public pressure and tireless campaigning by activists – including our chapter in Australia – the country is finally set to create a federal watchdog agency with broad powers to investigate serious or systemic corruption.
Transparency International Australia first made the call for such a body more than fifteen years ago, and this Wednesday, Attorney General Mark Dreyfus introduced the landmark National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) bill in the parliament.
According to early reviews by experts, while not perfect, the bill is promising.
The new commission will be independent and able to investigate not just politicians and public officials, but also third parties such as property developers, lobbyists, political donors and unions. Essentially, anyone who could seek to corrupt or adversely affect government decision-making is covered. Moreover, the agency’s powers will be retrospective – so it can investigate corruption that took place before its establishment.
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While we’re definitely counting our chickens before they’re set to hatch in 2023, Transparency International Australia is concerned that NACC would only hold public hearings in ‘exceptional circumstances’. They also flagged the current proposal’s lack of strong and effective whistleblower protection.
A parliamentary committee will now review the bill and is accepting submissions for improvements until 10 November. There’s still a chance that the various shortcomings highlighted by anti-corruption experts can be rectified.