NACC reveals 437 ‘corruption’ referrals since July 1

While hundreds of referrals have been lodged, only a few are to do with matters highly publicised in the media, the watchdog said.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has received 437 referrals since it began operations a little over two weeks ago.

The watchdog, which received 44 online referrals in its first two days of operation alone, has been active since July 1.

Hundreds of the since-lodged referrals do not pertain to well publicised matters, the NACC said.

On Tuesday afternoon, the NACC issued a short statement, stating it was updating the figure “in response to media interest”.

NACC commissioner Paul Brereton opened the commission on July 3.

“At close of business Monday 17 July 2023, the Commission had received 437 referrals,” it said.

“Approximately 12 per cent of the referrals relate to matters well publicised in the media.”

The NACC did not go into detail about what allegations had been lodged, nor did it provide detail abut the assessment process.

In recent weeks, the Greens have indicated their intention to lodge a number of matters to the NACC, notably Stuart Robert’s relationship with Synergy360, and consultancy firm PwC, after it came under fire in recent months for revelations a former executive knowingly disseminated confidential government information to peers and clients.

The Robodebt royal commission was also timed so it could be handed down to coincide with the active corruption watch dog. In a secret sealed section of the report, Commissioner Catherine Holmes referred a number of individuals to the NACC.

No details about who might have been referred to the NACC have been revealed.

At the opening ceremony for the NACC earlier in July, Commissioner Paul Brereton promised “we will listen to you”.

“Anyone can refer corruption issues to the commission,” he said at the time.

The NACC also has the scope to commence investigations of its own volition.

He said the NACC’s guiding principle in deciding whether or not to investigate a matter is “whether a corruption investigation by the commission would add value in the public interest, especially in the light of any other inquiries or investigations that are happening, and whether there is any real prospect of a finding of corrupt conduct”.

Originally published as NACC reveals 437 ‘corruption’ referrals since July 1