Is the national anti-corruption body failing?
After major missteps, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is falling well short of the gold standard for integrity bodies.
On this episode of Follow the Money, journalist and writer Nick Feik joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the NACC’s handling of its Robodebt investigation, its decision not to hold public hearings so far, and concerns about the legal experience required of some senior leaders.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 5 May and some things may have changed.
The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code ‘PODVP’ at checkout to get free shipping.
Guest: Nick Feik, journalist and writer // @nickfeik
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
Built to fail? NACC: the integrity body undermined from the start by Nick Feik, Michelle Fahy & Elizabeth Minter, The Point (April 2026)
Resignation of Deputy Commissioner highlights need for transparent, merit-based NACC appointments, the Centre for Public Integrity (May 2026)
National Anti-Corruption Commission: Reforms Needed, the Australia Institute
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
Underfunded, toothless and lacking transparency – time for a new era of integrity in Tasmania
As Tasmania’s newly elected politicians jostle to form government, new analysis from The Australia Institute shows that a deal to address integrity would be popular among election-weary voters.
Who’s going to stand up and make Nazis ashamed again?
A “March for Australia” rally sounds benign, but people who plan to attend the “March for Australia” rallies around the country on Sunday will almost certainly be marching alongside white supremacists and neo-Nazis.
The $368 billion question | Between the Lines
The Wrap with Dr Emma Shortis As Taylor Swift said, if you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes. Last week the Trump administration sent Australia’s national security establishment into a spin when it announced that it was reviewing the Aukus submarine pact to ensure that it fits Trump’s “America First” agenda. But even before