Is the national anti-corruption body failing?

This episode of 'Follow the Money' critically examines the performance of Australia's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NAC) three years after its establishment, questioning whether it has fulfilled its promise to restore integrity, honesty, and accountability in government. Host Ebony Bennett interviews journalist Nick Fyke, who argues that despite a $60–70 million annual budget and over 200 staff, the NAC has failed to deliver any major corruption findings, particularly in high-profile cases like the RoboDebt scandal. The episode highlights systemic issues including the NAC’s refusal to hold public hearings, even in exceptional circumstances, its opaque appointment process favoring politically connected individuals over qualified legal experts, and internal mismanagement, including a finding of misconduct against its own commissioner. Fyke emphasizes that the NAC’s lack of transparency and failure to produce meaningful reports have undermined public trust and turned the body into a story of its own failures rather than a force for accountability. The discussion calls for urgent reform, including amending the NAC Act to mandate transparent, merit-based appointments, expanding the power to hold public hearings, and ensuring leadership with the highest legal credentials. With an upcoming report from the NAC Inspector on Commissioner Paul Brereton’s conflicts of interest and a Senate inquiry underway, the next few months are seen as pivotal. The episode concludes with a broader warning: if an integrity body cannot manage its own affairs, it cannot be trusted to hold others accountable. The Australian Institute’s research and investigative reporting underscore the need for systemic change to restore public confidence in Australia’s anti-corruption framework.