NATIONAL ANTI CORRUPTION COMMISSION: This month, thanks especially to the relentless efforts of community independents Cathy McGowan and Helen Haines MP, the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) has commenced operations.
NACC is an independent Commonwealth agency that operates under an Act of Parliament to detect, investigate and report on serious or systemic corruption in the Commonwealth public sector both before and after it was established. Being independent means the government is not able to tell the NACC what to investigate or how to do its job.
The NACC can investigate
Conduct of any person that adversely affects a public official’s honest or impartial exercise of powers or performance of official duties
Conduct of a public official that involves a breach of public trust
Conduct of a public official that involves abuse of office
Conduct of a public official or former public official that involves the misuse of documents or information they have gained in their capacity as a public official.
Public officials include ministers, parliamentarians and their staff, and staff members of Commonwealth agencies. Staff members of Commonwealth agencies include individuals employed by or engaged in assisting the agency, and contracted service providers under Commonwealth contracts administered by the agency.
This is a big leap forward in a stronger and healthier democracy for Australia!
Read more about how the NACC will work here
HOUSING CRISIS: Could bringing a group of regular citizens together to talk through the issues help politicians find common ground on housing policy?
Independent MP for Wentworth, Allegra Spender thinks so. Ms Spender is convening a series of public forums in her electorate to discuss with affected people how the housing crisis is affecting them and what possible solutions they see.
Listen here on the 'Democracy Sausage' podcast as Allegra Spender MP discusses breaking the housing deadlock and seeking solutions from within the community, with Mark Kenny.
