The case for a national whole-of-government anti-corruption body

Abstract

Australia’s anti-corruption system needs reform. The diffusion of responsibilities across multiple agencies risks under-reporting of corrupt conduct, while gaps in the regime mean that the system fails to hold people accountable. As a result, community and public confidence in Australia’s institutions is eroded. The solution is a national whole-of-government anti-corruption body encompassing the public sector with the power to apply a uniform standard of corrupt conduct.