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About the Inspector

The Inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (the Inspector) is an independent officer of the Parliament.

The Inspector

The position of Inspector is established by the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022.

The Inspector is independent from the Australian Government and from the NACC. The Inspector is not subject to anyone’s direction when performing their functions and exercising their powers.

The Inspector complements other oversight mechanisms, including the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the NACC and the Commonwealth Ombudsman, to ensure robust oversight of
the NACC.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on the NACC monitors and reviews how the Inspector performs their functions. This includes examining and reporting to the Parliament on the Inspector’s
annual reports.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee may also request the Inspector’s assistance in reviewing whether the NACC has sufficient finances and resources.

Who is the Inspector?

The Inspector is Gail Furness SC, who has been appointed until 30 June 2030.

Accountability of the Inspector

The Inspector is independent of the government and the NACC and is accountable to
the Parliament.

The Inspector will provide relevant information and documents to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Committee), and will report to the Parliament.

An annual report will be prepared by the Inspector which will be tabled in Parliament, and publicly available.

Parliamentary Joint Committee

In relation to the Inspector, the Committee can:

  • monitor and review the performance of the Inspector
  • report to the Parliament on any matter connected with the performance of the functions of the Inspector
  • examine and report to the Parliament on the Inspector’s annual reports and NACC investigation reports
  • examine trends and changes in corruption among persons regulated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 and report to the Parliament on any changes to the Inspector’s functions, powers, procedures or staffing that the Committee considers appropriate.

The Committee cannot investigate a NACC corruption issue or reconsider a decision or recommendation made by the Inspector in relation to a NACC corruption issue or complaint.

Reporting to Parliament

The Inspector is required to report to Parliament on the outcomes of the Inspector’s activities.

There are also reporting requirements in relation to the Inspector’s annual reports and some investigation reports.

Annual reports

After the end of each financial year, the Inspector must prepare an annual report, which will be tabled in Parliament.

The annual report will include information about:

  • NACC corruption issue referrals and complaints made to the Inspector
  • NACC corruption issues dealt with by the Inspector
  • NACC corruption and complaint investigations conducted by the Inspector
  • audits undertaken by the Inspector
  • the Inspector’s actual and budgeted expenditure.

Investigation reports which must be tabled in Parliament

After investigating a NACC corruption issue or complaint, the Inspector must prepare a report setting out their findings and recommendations (if relevant) and the reasons for them. 

If public hearings were held during the investigation, the report must be tabled in Parliament. See the Investigations page for more information.