As a core pillar of its Accountability and Transparency Program, the Foundation funded the work of two organisations, the Australia Institute and the Centre for Public Integrity, to campaign for the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which came to fruition in 2022. The Commission will help to fill critical gaps that have long existed in the country’s integrity system, increase public trust in government and ultimately make Australia a stronger democracy.
What we’re working to achieve
Australia has long needed a federal anti-corruption commission with the powers to investigate and bring to light corruption and misconduct in the public sector.
With the support of all sides of politics, the National Anti-Corruption Commission was established in 2022.
As a core pillar of its Accountability and Transparency Program, the Susan McKinnon Foundation is committed to working to improve trust in our institutions and strengthen our democracy. As such, it provided funding to two organisations that successfully campaigned to establish an anti-corruption commission.
The Commission will fill critical gaps that have long existed in the country’s integrity system, increase public trust in government and ultimately make Australia a stronger democracy.
How we are doing it
The Australia Institute and the Centre for Public Integrity are two organisations that have been delivering research and engaging with stakeholders to establish a federal anti-corruption body in recent years.
Over the past six years, The Susan McKinnon Foundation has provided funding to support the work of these two bodies as a complementary collective.
The success of the campaign to establish a federal anti-corruption commission was facilitated by the in-depth research conducted by both the Australia Institute and the Centre for Public Integrity, which ultimately led to the development of a proposed ideal model for a federal anti-corruption commission. This was combined by advocacy by high profile, credible former judges, commissioners and QCs on behalf of both organisations.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 (Cth) passed both Houses of Parliament in November 2022. The Commission is expected to begin operations in mid-2023.
The establishment of a National Anti-Corruption Commission will have a meaningful impact on our federal systems of governance and accountability.
The Susan McKinnon Foundation plans to increase its investment in programs aimed at strengthening Australia’s democratic institutions.
