The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) marks two years in operation this week. Introduced as a landmark reform by the Albanese government, the commission promised transparency, accountability, and justice. But as its second anniversary approaches, serious questions are being raised about its performance.
Has the National Anti-Corruption Commission Delivered Results?
The NACC reported receiving 2,260 referrals in the past 12 months. That’s a drop from 3,190 the year prior. It currently has only five matters before the courts and 41 under investigation. Of the 5,450 referrals it has received, fewer than 20 convictions have been secured. That represents just 0.3% of total cases.
The commission’s low output raises concern over its efficiency, especially given the growing volume of unresolved cases and public frustration. For a body that was supposed to restore trust in governance, the early results are hardly inspiring.
Robodebt: The Case That Won’t Go Away
On July 7, 2023, Royal Commissioner Catherine Holmes handed the Robodebt report to the NACC. It included a sealed chapter recommending civil and criminal action against six individuals involved in the unlawful welfare recovery scheme.
Initially, the NACC refused to investigate. Public backlash followed. In response, the NACC Inspector appointed Alan Robertson SC to review the decision. His review prompted a reversal. By February 2025, former High Court Justice Geoffrey Nettle KC was tasked with re-evaluating the matter. Now, Deputy Commissioner Kilgour and Nettle are leading a renewed investigation.
This back-and-forth has led to skepticism about the NACC’s independence and seriousness. Over five years since the Robodebt Royal Commission was first proposed, justice for victims remains elusive.
A $36 Million Exercise in Bureaucracy?
The cost of inaction is enormous. The Robodebt Royal Commission cost $33.6 million. The NACC’s handling of the referrals, including remuneration for senior officers and contracted legal experts, has already cost taxpayers at least $1.6 million—possibly over $2 million.
Chief Commissioner Brereton earns $784,000 annually. The Deputy Commissioner is on $613,000. Meanwhile, Nettle is contracted for $684,000 across eight months. These numbers raise eyebrows about value for money, especially given the limited outcome.
The final figure could balloon beyond $36 million if prosecutions proceed. Worse, taxpayers may again be forced to fund legal defences for implicated politicians—an insult to the public.
As investigations drag on, so does the erosion of public confidence. NACC’s inability to provide closure has angered victims and citizens demanding accountability. Without results, the commission risks becoming a costly bureaucratic shell.
“It would be a travesty if a legal technicality impeded the prosecution of any adverse findings,” one legal source warned.
In short, two years in, the NACC has much to prove. And even more to make right.
