This bill became law on Dec 12th, 2022.
Law, justice & rights
Australia gets a new independent federal anti-corruption body that can investigate and report on serious or widespread corruption across the Commonwealth public sectorThe federal government area covered by the commission, including ministers, MPs, agencies, contractors and some officials., refer suspected crimes for prosecution, and do prevention and education work.
Suspected serious or widespread corruption in federal agencies could be kept inside those agencies, leaving Australia without a single independent body to investigate it across the Commonwealth public sectorThe federal government area covered by the commission, including ministers, MPs, agencies, contractors and some officials.. This bill creates the National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector., requires referrals of serious matters, and gives it powers to investigate, report, and prevent corruption.
Before this bill, the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement IntegrityThe older federal integrity body that covered only a narrower part of government before the NACC was created. covered only a narrow slice of the Commonwealth, leaving no single independent body to investigate serious or systemic corruptionThe threshold the commissioner must think is met before starting an investigation; it is meant to catch major or repeated wrongdoing, not minor misconduct. across the wider federal public sector. After Labor won the 21 May 2022 election promising to restore integrity in government, it fast-tracked and funded a new National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector., then secured the bill’s passage in late November and Royal AssentThe final legal step that turns a passed bill into an Act. on 12 December 2022 so the body could be established with national reach.
The main criticism was that the bill gave the new commission very strong coercive powers without enough clear safeguards on hearings, warrants, silence rights, judicial reviewCourt review of whether a decision was made lawfully; critics in the page argue the bill gives only limited chances to challenge NACC actions. and protection against unfair reputational damage. Those concerns came mainly from Coalition speakers and some crossbenchers who still supported creating the body, while others argued the bill also set the bar too high for public hearings or left independence protections too weak.
Hon Mark Dreyfus KC, MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 12 Dec 2022
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
19 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
75 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Australia gets a new independent federal anti-corruption body that can investigate and report on serious or widespread corruption across the Commonwealth public sectorThe federal government area covered by the commission, including ministers, MPs, agencies, contractors and some officials., refer suspected crimes for prosecution, and do prevention and education work.
Federal agency heads and officials handling public interest disclosures must quickly send suspected serious or widespread corruption matters to the National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector., instead of keeping them only inside their own agency.
The National Anti-Corruption CommissionerThe person who leads the NACC and decides whether to investigate, compel evidence, or hold a hearing. can compel documents and information, use search warrants, seize evidence, and in limited cases arrest someone to make sure they attend a hearing.
Hearings are usually private, but the National Anti-Corruption CommissionerThe person who leads the NACC and decides whether to investigate, compel evidence, or hold a hearing. can open them to the public when exceptional circumstances apply and the public interest supports it.
The law sets up outside oversight of the National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector. through an independent inspectorAn outside watchdog who can investigate the NACC itself and look into complaints about how it or its staff behave. who can investigate corruption inside the body and complaints about how it or its staff behave.
The NACC Bill would create a new Commonwealth anti-corruption agency, the National Anti‑Corruption Commission. The NACC would be an independent agency that would investigate and report on serious or systemic corruption in the Commonwealth public sector, refer evidence of criminal corrupt conduct for prosecution, and undertake education and prevention activities regarding corruption.National Anti-Corruption Commission explanatory memorandum
The NACC Bill would require agency heads and persons with responsibilities under the PID Act to refer information or allegations involving any corrupt conduct that could be serious or systemic to the NACC as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of the information or allegation. Referrals in relation to intelligence agencies could also be made to the IGIS.National Anti-Corruption Commission explanatory memorandum
The Commissioner would have the ability to compel the production of documents or information, obtain a warrant to enter and search premises, enter certain Commonwealth premises without a search warrant, seize evidence and exercise limited powers of arrest to ensure attendance at a hearing.National Anti-Corruption Commission explanatory memorandum
The NACC Bill would provide the Commissioner with the power to hold hearings as part of an investigation into a corruption issue or a public inquiry. Hearings would, by default, be held in private. The NACC Bill would provide the Commissioner with the discretion to hold public hearings in relation to an investigation or public inquiry where the Commissioner decides that exceptional circumstances justify holding the hearing in public and it is in the public interest to do so.National Anti-Corruption Commission explanatory memorandum
The NACC Bill would confer the Inspector with functions that include the investigation of corruption issues within the NACC and complaints about the conduct of the NACC or its staff. The Inspector would have complete discretion in performing their functions and carrying out their duties.National Anti-Corruption Commission explanatory memorandum
Context
Before this bill, the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement IntegrityThe older federal integrity body that covered only a narrower part of government before the NACC was created. covered only a narrow slice of the Commonwealth, leaving no single independent body to investigate serious or systemic corruptionThe threshold the commissioner must think is met before starting an investigation; it is meant to catch major or repeated wrongdoing, not minor misconduct. across the wider federal public sector. After Labor won the 21 May 2022 election promising to restore integrity in government, it fast-tracked and funded a new National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector., then secured the bill’s passage in late November and Royal AssentThe final legal step that turns a passed bill into an Act. on 12 December 2022 so the body could be established with national reach.
Labor wins office after promising a federal anti-corruption body
The new government later said it had gone to the election promising to restore integrity, honesty and accountability by creating a national anti-corruption commissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector..
Hansard ↗Government says the new commission could be operating by mid-2023
The Financial Review reported the government planned to fast-track the legislation and send it to a joint committee as it pushed to stand up the body quickly.
Australian Financial Review ↗Government introduces the National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector. Bill
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus introduced the bill, presenting it as the government’s response to its election commitment to rebuild integrity and accountability.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Budget commits $262.6 million to establish the commission
The Budget allocated $262.6 million over four years to establish and support the NACCThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector.'s ongoing operation, with the existing Australian Commission for Law Enforcement IntegrityThe older federal integrity body that covered only a narrower part of government before the NACC was created. to be absorbed into the new body.
Australian Financial Review ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses agreed on the same text, clearing the way for a single federal anti-corruption body with powers reaching across the Commonwealth public sectorThe federal government area covered by the commission, including ministers, MPs, agencies, contractors and some officials..
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final legal step that turns a passed bill into an Act. creates the new anti-corruption law
Royal AssentThe final legal step that turns a passed bill into an Act. turned the bill into an Act, completing the legal step needed to establish the National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector..
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Referred to Committee (28/09/2022): Joint Select Committee on National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector. Legislation; Committee report (10/11/2022)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Committee of the Whole debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.
Consideration of Senate message
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final legal step that turns a passed bill into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill gave the new commission very strong coercive powers without enough clear safeguards on hearings, warrants, silence rights, judicial reviewCourt review of whether a decision was made lawfully; critics in the page argue the bill gives only limited chances to challenge NACC actions. and protection against unfair reputational damage. Those concerns came mainly from Coalition speakers and some crossbenchers who still supported creating the body, while others argued the bill also set the bar too high for public hearings or left independence protections too weak.
Criticism was real but mostly conditional, with no party represented in the debate opposing the body itself.
Strong powers with weak due process safeguards
Critics argued the commission's powers were too broad and needed tighter legal limits so people were not compelled, restricted or publicly damaged without enough procedural fairness. Concerns included loss of silence rights, gag orders, warrant powers and limited judicial reviewCourt review of whether a decision was made lawfully; critics in the page argue the bill gives only limited chances to challenge NACC actions..
Public hearing rules were seen as too restrictive
A separate line of criticism was that the bill would keep almost all hearings private because the threshold for opening them was too high. Critics said that could weaken transparency and make the commission less effective at exposing serious public corruption.
Independence and coverage gaps
Some critics said the bill still needed stronger protections to keep the commission independent in practice, especially on funding, appointments and the scope of conduct it could investigate. They warned that without those changes, important corruption risks could fall through gaps or the body could be weakened over time.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
Passed 77 to 14. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Opposition came from Greens and Katter's Australian Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This kept the bill’s referral settings and related reporting safeguards unchanged at the second-reading stage.
Passed 54 to 16. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, Katter's Australian Party, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This left the bill’s statutory review timing as drafted, rather than bringing the review forward.
Passed 58 to 15. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Opposition came from Greens, Katter's Australian Party, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This kept the government’s narrower drafting on corruption and public-hearing thresholds in place.
Passed 49 to 16. Support came from Labor, Nationals, and Liberal Party. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, Katter's Australian Party, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This left the bill’s existing budget and oversight settings unchanged.
Passed 55 to 14. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Katter's Australian Party, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This preserved the bill’s open-ended investigation timetable and left completion timing to the commissionerThe person who leads the NACC and decides whether to investigate, compel evidence, or hold a hearing..
Passed 73 to 63. Support came from Labor and Centre Alliance. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Greens, and Katter's Australian Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This left the bill’s witness-support and nondisclosure arrangements as the government had drafted them.
Passed 79 to 56. Support came from Labor and Greens. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Centre Alliance, and Katter's Australian Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This kept the bill’s disclosure restrictions and reputational safeguards in the form the government preferred.
Passed 45 to 6. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, Greens, and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This preserved the bill’s existing approach to privilege, report timing and response rights.
Passed 46 to 16. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, Katter's Australian Party, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This left the bill’s appointment process, including the government chair and casting vote, unchanged.
Passed 70 to 64. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This kept the bill’s existing five-year review framework in place.
Passed 34 to 14. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This left the bill’s journalist-source protections to the government’s drafting, including the extra safeguards already adopted in response to committee recommendations.
Passed 83 to 53. Support came from Labor, Greens, and Katter's Australian Party. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The proposed change was agreed.
The APH progress record says 36 Government amendments were agreed without a counted division being collected by this run.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The House agreed to the amendments made by the Senate, so the bill could pass both chambers in the same form.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senate
Defeated 14 to 29. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and minor parties and independents.
This left the bill’s corruption definition narrower than the Greens wanted.
Defeated 28 to 36. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This preserved the bill’s broader powers and existing drafting on those issues.
Defeated 15 to 28. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This left the bill without an express pork-barrelling note in the corruption definition.
Defeated 16 to 30. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This left funding decisions and budget treatment more squarely with the government and ordinary budget processes.
Defeated 14 to 30. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, and UAP. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This preserved the bill’s government-chaired committee structure and casting-vote arrangement.
Defeated 14 to 27. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This kept the bill’s narrower corruption definition in place.
Defeated 13 to 32. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents.
This left the committee’s government-majority structure and casting vote unchanged.
The APH progress record says two Australian Greens amendments were carried on voices, without a counted division being collected by this run.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
The parliamentary record also shows 36 Government amendments and 2 Australian Greens amendments agreed without a counted division.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Dreyfus strongly supports the bill, saying it delivers Labor's promise to establish a powerful, independent national anti-corruption commissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector..
Read in Hansard ↗Thompson says the opposition will not back this bill as drafted and will move amendments, because he argues it wrongly exempts union officials while covering soldiers and other public workers, and gives the commission powers that go too far.
Read in Hansard ↗Leeser says the coalition supports the National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector. Bill, but wants it strengthened with extra safeguards and amendments on issues like union carve-outs, hearings, corruption definitions and legal protections.
Read in Hansard ↗Tink supports the bill and wants the National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector. to pass because she sees it as a historic reform that will rebuild trust in politics.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
28 speakers · 30 contributions · 28 support
“This Government is honouring that commitment.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is a critical step forward to improving integrity in the Australian public sector and public life, and I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“To wrap up, this bill is the Albanese government fulfilling its election commitment to establish a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission. It's a significant step in restoring trust and integrity back into government, something that the Australian people wanted and voted for at the last election”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This is a really important bill and a historic moment for this parliament that we are establishing this National Anti-Corruption Commission. I'm incredibly proud that the Albanese Labor government is delivering on this promise, unlike the previous government, that failed to do so. This is really important for our communities and for the trust that Australians hold in our democracy.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“With these bills to establish a powerful, transparent and independent national anticorruption commission, the government is delivering on its promise to tackle corruption and to restore trust and integrity to public institutions. There have been too many scandals. There have been too many rorts. There have been too many things that Australians have just shaken their heads at when it comes to the use of Commonwealth funds and the behaviour of certain Commonwealth officials. This bill, the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill, is the start of turning around that tawdry episode in Australian politics. I commend the bill to the chamber.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I certainly hope that indeed all of the House supports it. It's important for us in this institution and important for the general public to see that this is what their government is doing, this is what the Labor government is doing. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As I've said at the beginning of my contribution to this debate, this has been a long discussion. I look forward to seeing the support for this bill from right across the parliament.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Today I bring to the parliament a bill to establish a powerful, transparent and independent national anticorruption commission.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Deputy Speaker, in May Boothby voted for integrity, and you'll be unsurprised to know that I will be voting for integrity. I will be voting for this Anti-Corruption Commission. The Albanese Labor government is delivering on another key promise. I commend the bills to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We have a bill that is amended because of our commitment to legislate a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission. We said we'd do it by the end of the year; I know there were people who thought it couldn't be done, but this shows our willingness to work hard, consult in a detailed way and progress things—not sit on them but make them happen.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Australians made very clear that they want a federal parliament that is honest. They want us to be accountable. They want this parliament to be transparent in its operations and its transactions. They want us to restore integrity and confidence in the very heart of our democracy, and that's what this bill does. I couldn't be more proud to stand as a member of the Labor government that is introducing this bill. I sincerely hope that there will be multiparty support. I know there are lots of amendments and lots of negotiations underway, but nobody in this chamber would want to vote against the establishment of a national anticorruption commission. Nobody could go home to their electorates and look anyone in the eye and say, 'We had an opportunity to correct a historical wrong in the Australian parliament, and we failed to stand up and do our duty.' I'm not going home to the people of Newcastle with that message, I can assure you. I don't think anyone in this parliament wants to be telling that story. So I encourage everybody to vote in support of this bill before the House. There is no time to delay. Our Labor government is setting the standard, cleaning up this place and making sure we are a government the Australian people can trust.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So I commend this bill. Lastly, I say that I hope this commission gets the support it deserves so this profession of ours can have a modicum of mobility restored to it. We have all put our hands up to serve. Let's show the people who put us here that we are serious about winning back their trust.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“But, just in summing up, this legislation has been not only widely discussed out there but scrutinised by some of the best legal minds in this country. Whilst I accept that there are some minor changes that might make it a little bit better, at the end of the day it will only be when the legislation is in place and a commissioner appointed that we'll see how well it functions. At that point, if there have to be any other minor amendments, then so be it. But I suspect that, right here and now, the legislation as it stands is the way to go.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I hope and expect to see this bill passed by both houses this week and to see the new Australian National Anti-Corruption Commission commence work by the middle of next year. The people of Hasluck too hope and expect to see this occur.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As I said earlier, I'm very proud to be commending this bill to the House because it was an integral part of our commitments when in opposition and also during the election campaign. On the other side of the House we had a government that had promised the voters of Australia that they would deliver a commission and they failed to do so over a period of nine years. I think it's very important, as a first step, in restoring confidence but also in ensuring that we have a body that will be above any interference from anyone, that would investigate serious corruption allegations and issues. I commend this bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The National Anti-Corruption Commission is an important institution that adds to the framework of our democracy. It's not good enough that we didn't have one. It's not good enough that all the states and territories had one. It's not good enough that there was one promised and never delivered. This is now a change to that long line of unsatisfactory outcomes. I'm proud of the Australian Labor Party, of the Albanese Labor government, which is delivering a national anti-corruption commission. It will leave our country in strong stead. It is an important reform not just for this parliament but for the Australian people, and I commend these bills to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I conclude by congratulating the Attorney on the outstanding job that he is doing, and I call upon all members of this House to vote for this legislation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Patrick Gorman on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Patrick Gorman supports the bill and says it is needed to restore integrity and trust in government after years of delay. He argues the commission should have strong powers, including the ability to investigate referrals, start its own inquiries, and do prevention and education work.
“It was a promise of the then Attorney-General, the member for Pearce, that this legislation would be put in, should they be re-elected in 2019, and then nothing happened for three years. Again, in restoring the faith that people should have in government, it is important that we get this legislation done. It is important that we get this legislation done now so that we can allow that commission to start doing the work that is so long overdue in restoring integrity and restoring trust in government.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Patrick Gorman strongly supports the bill, saying it will create a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector. with the powers and funding needed to investigate corrupt conduct and restore trust in government. He also criticises the previous coalition government for promising an integrity commission and never delivering it.
“Therefore, all Australians deserve to have confidence that their democracy is working for them. That is why we've introduced the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022, to create that powerful, transparent and truly independent National Anti-Corruption Commission, with the powers necessary and the funding necessary to investigate corrupt conduct, to investigate the past and the present, to prevent for the future—independently and without political interference—and to restore integrity and trust in government.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“This bill reflects the best of the state and territory models. Importantly, this legislation was an election commitment that we on this side of the House take seriously. I'm incredibly proud that the Albanese Labor government is bringing in this legislation as a matter of priority, and I'm proud of the consultative way we have done it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This legislation gives effect to the principles we took to the election and that were endorsed by the Australian people. It delivers on a commitment by the Albanese government to legislate a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission. It also draws on the best elements of state and territory anticorruption commissions and laws. This bill provides the commission with a broad jurisdiction to investigate serious or systemic corrupt conduct across the Commonwealth public sector.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill continues to deliver our commitment to legislate a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission. I'm proud that ours is a government that values integrity, honesty and accountability. I will always respect my community and act in a way that is befitting the people I care about, and part of demonstrating that is providing my full support for this legislation. This legislation gives full effect to the design principles we took to the federal election.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This legislation is particularly important, and I have been a strong supporter, as I say, of a national integrity and anti-corruption commission since before it was even my party's policy. A federal anti-corruption commission is long overdue. Australians deserve a robust system of accountability.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Gordon Reid on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Reid strongly supports the bill and presents it as the Labor government's plan to create an independent federal anti-corruption commission with broad powers, safeguards, and proper oversight. He argues it is a nation-building reform that will restore accountability and integrity to federal politics.
“Today we begin the process to fulfil the election commitment of establishing an independent federal anti-corruption commission. This is forward thinking. This is nation-building. This is how you return accountability and integrity to federal politics and to government. This is what trust looks like.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Reid supports the bill and says it delivers Labor's promise to create a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption CommissionThe new federal body set up by this bill to investigate serious corruption across the Commonwealth public sector.. He argues it will restore honesty, integrity and accountability in federal politics and rebuild public trust.
“This legislation, the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022, delivers on the commitment made by our government, the Albanese Labor government, during the course of the 2022 federal election campaign. It delivers on our commitment to legislate a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission. What this bill does at the local level is that it allows me to look my constituents in the eye and say that our government is returning honesty, integrity and accountability to federal politics. This bill is the cornerstone of the Albanese government's agenda to restore public trust and strengthen the standards of integrity.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“This legislation will put integrity back in politics and restore faith in our political system to the Australian public. This bill is another election promise delivered by our government for the Australian people, and I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The government is restoring public confidence in the parliament and public officials through the introduction of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and a broad integrity reform program, which includes offering greater protections for whistleblowers. I commend this legislation to the Senate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Before the election Labor promised we would be a government that Australians could be proud of, both nationally and globally, a government committed to integrity, honesty and accountability, unlike those who came before us. Our priority since been elected has been to legislate a powerful, transparent and independent national anti-corruption commission by the end of the year. This is an essential step to fulfil our promise to the Australian people.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“What we're seeing today is a government that has done two things. It has delivered upon the commitment that it made, but it's also a government that has resolved to work across the parliament with goodwill to try to make sure that in working across the parliament we're delivering a national anticorruption commission that is fit for purpose; has broad support; is durable and effective; and can do its job.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Australians have had enough, and that's why, at the last election, they voted for change. They supported Labor's policy to establish a strong and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission. The National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022 delivers on that commitment. It will establish a strong Anti-Corruption Commission with the powers to investigate and prosecute serious and systemic corruption. It will be independent from government. It will have the necessary powers to investigate alleged corruption by politicians and public officials, and those that engage with them. It will have the power to compel people to give evidence and to produce documents and materials relevant to its investigations. Importantly, it will have the power to conduct hearings in public so that the public can know what's going on, when and if it is in the public interest to do so.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
15 speakers · 7 support · 1 oppose · 7 mixed
“Let me reiterate: the coalition supports the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The government has the balance right on several matters, but there's further work to do. We believe that the government's bill would be improved by adopting the bipartisan recommendations of the joint select committee and by some additional measures that are needed. We intend to bring forward amendments in the consideration-in-detail phase to deal with these measures. Our amendments are designed to implement safeguards to ensure that the bill gets the balance right.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bill will cost $262 million over the forward estimates, and it is critical this money is used well. Definitions are important, particularly in legal proceedings. The bill requires far clearer, less ambiguous explanations of the terms and powers upon which it seeks to rely in founding the NACC. The coalition's amendments provide a much tighter and targeted approach to ensure that the NACC achieves its purpose. We cannot allow good men and women of all persuasions and all sides of politics to be sacrificed at the altar of the all-powerful commission merely to satisfy the media or the mob. We cannot allow the lives of innocent individuals to be destroyed by a press release without due process or protections. I commend the coalition's amendments to these bills to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition supports this bill. I support this bill. Aspects of the process have been very undesirable. We will be moving amendments to seek to improve the bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak in favour of the creation of a National Anti-Corruption Commission, and I've been waiting for the opportunity to do this for some years, ever since entering this place in 2019.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“That's why we on this side of the House will put forward amendments to close this loop the government has inserted for its union mates.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I do worry about some of the conditions of this particular legislation. It's all well good for the Independents to come in here, as holy as thou, and say, 'This needs to happen.' I don't disagree it needs to happen, but let's be very careful and very mindful that we don't smear and tarnish good people and ruin their reputations not only during their political careers but forevermore—if, later on, they are cleared—because of the inefficiencies and the inadequacies of this particular legislation, which needs to be reviewed and looked at.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Notwithstanding these improvements that I would like to see, this is a good bill and worthy of the House's support. I sincerely look forward to seeing this legislation passed with broad support because, as I've previously expressed, any bill put forward must be a result of nonpartisan collaboration.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In conclusion, whilst we believe there are numerous measures that would strengthen this body and provide safeguards for individuals, I want to reiterate the coalition's support for the National Anti-Corruption Commission.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“That is why I support this commission. I want to make that very clear. I support this commission and the work that has gone into it through the joint committee but I also lament the need for the commission, the state of politics and the Public Service that requires it today.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We are supportive of this bill, with these amendments, because corruption is wrong and it should, and must, be stamped out.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We've engaged in good faith because we want the National Anti-Corruption Commission to be, as the Attorney-General stated during question time, as good as it can be—thank you, Attorney-General. We want to strengthen the NACC. The coalition's amendments are about strengthening the National Anti-Corruption Commission and its ability to pursue corrupt conduct. This is sensibly balanced against protecting the fundamental rights of those who come before the Anti-Corruption Commission and restricting the harm that might be inflicted by the unnecessary or premature airing of allegations. Justice must be seen to be done, and this isn't always the case. It's most certainly not the case when the accused—who, if it were a criminal case, would have the right to face their accuser and to mount a defence—are, in this domain, subject to gag orders and an inability to participate in any public forum.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While we as a party support the NACC, it's important, as I've said, that we take serious care to get the balance right. We've engaged in this process in good faith through the parliamentary processes and through the committee processes. We're committed to being a constructive opposition. The coalition opposition is supportive of good policy where it's good policy but, where it's not, we will call it out.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The bill isn't perfect, and I have to say there has been a lot of very good work in this parliament, addressing a range of shortfalls, including work by the Joint Select Committee on National Anti-Corruption Commission Legislation, which made six consensus recommendations. There have been many additional comments from coalition members of that committee, as well as coalition members and senators across the board, seeking to ensure that the bill gets the balance right between stamping out corruption and protecting the rights of everyday people brought before the commission.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Finally, if we're talking about integrity we must consider how important bipartisanship is when forming a new body like the proposed NACC. We suggest that a three-quarters majority of the parliamentary committee be required for all appointments of commissioner and inspector, keeping in mind that such a body must be supported by all sides of government. Without this support the public we represent will have no faith in the NACC. The proposed changes will make the NACC a fairer and more just body, which is exactly what is needed when making decisions around corruption.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Again, I am in support of a National Anti-Corruption Commission. I can say that I was in the police during the police royal commission, and there was a definite need for a police royal commission. I'm not walking away from that. But I did see colleagues whose families were targeted by investigators and terrorised to get evidence from them. It turned husbands against wives. So, we need to ensure that any type of anticorruption bill or anticorruption commission that we have does not do that again. Police officers were having mental breakdowns, institutionalised because of the bastardry and terrorism—the overreach—by the commission and the investigators. That is not what this bill is intended for.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
6 speakers · 6 support
“Finally, as Greens, we are focused on the outcome. We want the best, the most independent and the most transparent NACC that we can achieve. We will work across this parliament to get the numbers to achieve that. I think we've got a lot of work to do in committee, but I can say this clearly: in just a few short days we will finally have a National Anti-Corruption Commission, and it's well past time.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Of course, we need a federal anti-corruption watchdog and we will be supporting this bill, but a federal NACC is not enough. The NACC won't stop pork-barrelling or break the stranglehold of corporate influence on politics.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Greens have been pushing for a federal corruption watchdog for 13 years now and will be supporting this bill. My colleague Larissa Waters, who actually had a bill pass the Senate to establish a national anticorruption commission last year, has been relentless in this space, along with Bob Brown, Lee Rhiannon, Christine Milne and independents Cathy McGowan and Helen Haines, as well as my colleague David Shoebridge in the Senate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So it is no wonder that public trust in politics and politicians is low, and it is our job to re-establish that trust. An independent corruption watchdog at the federal level is a big step towards this, and I commend the government for acting quickly on this much-needed reform after coming into power—admittedly, after many, many years of hard campaigning by the Greens. But there is so much more to do. Let's ban dirty donations from industries like gambling, fossil fuels, alcohol and tobacco. Let's stop the revolving door between politics and industrial lobbyists. Let's end pork-barrelling. After all, a corruption watchdog is only as powerful as the rules that define corruption.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In sum, this bill to establish the National Anti-Corruption Commission is an important first step—one that has come about based on the relentless advocacy of many, including many Greens MPs, as well as mounting community pressure that is too big for the government to ignore. South Australians elected me with a clear mandate: they want to see politics cleaned up. We must go further to restore the community's faith in our political system. We need to ban all political donations from coal and gas companies and we need to cap other donations to $1,000 a year. We must end the revolving door between politicians and big business by stopping ministers from taking cushy industry jobs directly after leaving parliament. We need to reform political advertising laws. We need to fund the Australian National Audit Office to audit all government programs to stop the rorting of our public funds. It is essential that our elected representatives and political institutions work for the benefit of the people and not the profit of big corporations and billionaires. This bill is a first and important step along that path, and it will go a long way towards reassuring Australians about the integrity of politics. We need to start there, and we need to go further.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm very pleased to rise to speak in support of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022 and the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. This is something the Greens have been campaigning for for a very, very long time, and we welcome the adoption of that proposal by this parliament.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 support
“This bill, when passed with appropriate amendments, will go a long way towards setting up a workable scheme, ensuring that integrity becomes a fundamental feature of our legislative and executive arms of government.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
13 speakers · 12 support · 1 unclear
“On behalf of the people of North Sydney, I commend the National Anti-Corruption Commission bills to the House. I sincerely hope that this legacy piece of reform will outlive my time in this House as well as your own. Thank you.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Parliamentary moments that cut through the noise—another trip to the Attorney-General's office or the Prime Minister's office, collaboration, working with the people—have borne results. I call on all members of this parliament to support my amendments and for us all to support this bill. I sincerely hope today is the first step in the long road to restoring trust in federal politics and integrity to public life. (Time expired)”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Ultimately, I strongly support the establishment of a National Anti-Corruption Commission, along with many members of this crossbench and of this parliament. We know the public have had enough and they want to see government, politicians and third parties held to account. I strongly urge the government to consider the 2022 election outcomes and the strong community support for returning integrity, accountability and transparency to government. This can be done by accepting amendments proposed to better this legislation. Otherwise, it's disappointing. It's a good bill but not a great bill, and it is one that may well fail to deliver what Australians so clearly want: a return to transparency, accountability and integrity in Australian politics.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I call on members to support my amendment. It's something I think we would all agree with in principle, and it doesn't in any way prevent the bill from progressing. So I do call on members to support my amendment, and I look forward to supporting the amended, or at least the unamended, NACC Bill in due course.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I commend the government, and particularly the Attorney-General and his staff, for their work on this once-in-a-generation bill. I will support it, but I say again: this is your legacy. Don't blink.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“It's good that state anticorruption commissions are onto them, but actually the real value in these commissions isn't what they do to politicians; it's what they do to the public.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I applaud the effort that has gone into constructing this bill, with the leadership of the member for Indi, and the consultation which has seen community groups and multiple sectors contribute to the committee's report on the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The government should be commended for recognising the importance of this bill and for their willingness to cooperate with the crossbench to give this bill the robust debate it deserves and hear from all sides of the chamber. But I feel it is my duty to raise concerns about the potential harm the bill will cause in the lives of some multicultural communities and individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds across the country if we don't put in place measures to create a culture of inclusivity within the commission and assist people to participate in providing evidence or have dialogues with the commission and investigators, without resorting to self-harm.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In 2022, a people-powered coalition of the willing and the passionate came together and listened to the voices of my electorate. The people of Kooyong told me that integrity and transparency was one of their most significant concerns. The people of Kooyong want to be able to trust their government. The people of Kooyong want to be proud of their government. I'm privileged to be in this House and to have the opportunity to support the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill. The people of Kooyong voted for this law, and I'm proud to be able to deliver it. I commend my amendment to the House, and I thank the government for the opportunity to speak on this very important legislation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In conclusion, I commend the Attorney-General on the introduction of this bill and thank him for his consultation and measured consideration of feedback in the lead-up to its introduction. I think this bill will go a long way to restoring some of the public trust in government that's been destroyed over the last few terms. I look forward to the establishment of the NACC, and I'll continue to play my role in scrutinising the activities of the commission to make sure it's operating independently and fairly.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This National Anti-Corruption Commission is a huge step in the right direction. Australians have wanted it for some time. I really welcome the introduction of this legislation. Clearly there's more work to be done. This is a start. This is ideally a safety net that doesn't get used much. There's much work to do in terms of cultural change and driving the right behaviours, and there's clearly more work to be done to restore public trust in government. We need whistleblower law reform, we need electoral law reform and we need truth in political advertising laws. I urge the government to amend the bill to strengthen this and make it a world-leading anticorruption commission and the anticorruption commission that Australians have asked for and deserve.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While it would, in my opinion, benefit from some further amendments—which I will speak further to—including amendments I'm putting forward myself, I rise to support this bill. The commission will be able to investigate serious and systemic corrupt conduct by a public official, including if it occurred before the commencement of this act. The commission will have a broader perspective and educative role in relation to corruption, and it will be overseen by the parliamentary joint committee and an inspector, who will be tasked with investigating any serious and systemic corruption issues and complaints relating to the commission itself. The commission, in my view, has the basics to enable it to function well for the most part, with strong investigative powers, including its own motion, and measures in the bill to help ensure that the commission is resourced properly to fulfil its purpose, functions and tasks. And that's key. It must be resourced.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is strong. It will be a potent tool to combat corruption, but further amendments will assist in achieving this high ambition. A non-government majority on the committee, robust whistleblower protections and public hearings will ensure that the National Anti-Corruption Commission is as effective as possible.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The National Anti-Corruption Commission the government has proposed looks pretty good, but I think it could be better. There are a few things I'd like to see changed.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Consideration in detail: amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the whole: amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
House · Message from Senate reported
Message from Senate reported
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Consideration of Senate message
House agreed to Senate amendments
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final legal step that turns a passed bill into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Joint Select Committee on National Anti-Corruption Commission Legislation; Committee report (10/11/2022)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (28 Sept 2022): Joint Select Committee on National Anti-Corruption Commission Legislation; Committee report (10 Nov 2022)
APH bill page notes
