22/10/2025
Welcome to our October 2025 integrity and anti-corruption update. Our updates 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. We limit commentary on current investigations or public enquiries.
National Anti-Corruption Commission
With no substantive NACC updates this month, we thought we would share the link to the statistics released by the NACC each month: News and media releases | National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
This financial year to date, key figures are:
- 919 referrals
- 32 preliminary investigations underway
- 38 investigations underway
NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption
ICAC’s Operation Wyvern public inquiry into an allegation concerning Transport for NSW (TfNSW) employees has continued this month, with a former employee revealing that, with little supervision or oversight, he was able to decide who contracts were awarded to or not awarded to.
This investigation is about whether, since 2012, TfNSW employees partially and/or dishonestly exercised official functions by awarding contracts to companies in return for benefits.
ACT’s Integrity Commission
Operation Luna
The former CEO of CIT, Ms Cover, had her judicial review application dismissed by the ACT Supreme Court. In addition to finding that the Integrity Commission had not erred in its application of the Integrity Commission Act 2018 (ACT) in making its findings of serious corrupt conduct against Ms Cover, the Court also found that the Commission’s Special Report was admissible in proceedings as it was not subject to parliamentary privilege under the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 (Cth), which applies in the Australian Capital Territory.
Operation Kingfisher
The long-awaited report on Operation Kingfisher is now in the report writing phase, which the Commission says is well-advanced. In writing the report, the Commission considers evidence collected to date, but there remains a possibility that additional evidence could still be gathered.
South Australia Independent Commission Against Corruption
Whistleblower project
South Australia’s ICAC is currently considering the adequacy and efficacy of whistleblower laws. In September 2025, South Australian ICAC released the Whistleblower Project Discussion Paper calling for views from stakeholders in the adequacy currently protections for whistleblowers. Submissions closed on Monday, 10 November 2025. The discussion paper can be found here: Whistleblower-Project-Discussion-Paper.pdf
Investigation into allegations against the Police Commissioner
South Australia’s ICAC Commissioner also made a public statement in relation to an investigation into historical allegations against Police Commissioner Stevens. The allegation was that, on two occasions in the early 1990’s the Commissioner discharged his firearm while on duty, and that neither incident was reported or investigated as required. The allegations were not substantiated. While one incident occurred, it was reported and investigated at the time. The second incident was found not to have occurred. The ICAC Commissioner made the public statement for the purposes of maintaining public confidence in the SA Police.
Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission
On 8 October 2025, the Commission released the following anti-corruption priorities:
- Corruption in the use of confidential information to facilitate a serious offence
- Corruption in grant funding, regulation and licensing
- Corruption by elected officials
- Corruption in recruitment involving senior executive positions or above
- Corruption in complex procurement, including major infrastructure and development projects
- Corruption through excessive force against a young person, including in watch-houses and detention centres
- Corruption through police responses to, and perpetration of, domestic and family violence.
Setting priorities is important for several reasons, including allowing a focus of resources, supporting prevention, and enhancing transparency with a view to maintain public trust in government integrity.
If you have any questions or require assistance with any integrity or anti-corruption matters, contact us. We act for government, business and not-for-profits, and we provide advice to individuals called before integrity and anti-corruption bodies.