14/10/2025
Welcome to our first integrity and anti-corruption update. Our updates will cover the work of the integrity and anti-corruption bodies at a National, State and Territory level, and from time-to-time updates from other government bodies with integrity related functions.
National Anti-Corruption Commission
Following a consistent theme across integrity and corruption bodies of issuing guidance on integrity matters, the NACC released guidance for public officials in managing their public duty and private interests. You can access the guide here: Conflicts of interest and corrupt conduct: A guide for public officials.
The guide highlights that most corruption starts with a conflict of interest, although it fairly acknowledges that most conflicts do not result in corrupt conduct. The guide works through the process of identifying, disclosing and managing real, apparent or perceived and potential conflicts. It sets out a conflict-of-interest test. Equally important, it highlights the ongoing obligation for public officials to continually assess their personal interests and how they could conflict, or be perceived to conflict, with their powers, functions, or duties as public officials.
In its monthly update, the NACC has reminded witnesses that they can apply to the Attorney-General for financial assistance with their legal representation. The NACC General Scheme funds the reasonable costs of legal representation if you are:
- appearing at a hearing of the NACC; or
- applying, or proposing to apply, for administrative review of a matter arising under the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 (Cth).
NACC is not involved in approving financial assistance. Griffin Legal can assist in making a request for financial assistance with legal representation.
NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption
Last month, former State Liberal MP Daryl Maguire was found guilty and sentenced for giving false and misleading evidence pursuant to section 97 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 (NSW). Maguire immediately lodged an appeal and has been granted bail.
Together with the Office of the Public Service Commissioner, ICAC has released a practiContinue cal guide for NSW public sector management to workshop ethical decision making with their teams. You can read about this here: Navigating values at work: Scenarios, tools and guidance for NSW public sector managers (September 2025) – Independent Commission Against Corruption
Victoria’s Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission
IBAC has charged two people as part of Operation Sandon, off the back of an investigation finalised in 2023. Operation Sandon was an investigation into allegations of serious corrupt conduct in relation to planning and property development decisions at the City of Casey council. The charges related to giving and receiving secret commissions and misconduct in public office and misuse of position. Court proceedings begin later this month.
NT Independent Commission Against Corruption
On 15 August 2025, the office of the NT ICAC has issued Mandatory Reporting Directions and Guidelines for Public Officers:
A public officer must report to the ICAC suspected corrupt conduct or anti-democratic conduct, unless the public officer knows that the conduct has already been reported to the ICAC.
You can read more about this here: Mandatory reporting directions and guidelines
Broadly speaking, the concept of anti-democratic conduct is conduct that is both an offence against specific legislation related to elections as well as being conduct which affects elections including community behaviour.