For an anti-corruption commission, public hearings are an essential form of public communication and education. The NACC is not permitted to hold public hearings every time it would be in the public interest to do so. Australia Institute polling research found that 67% of Australians thought that the NACC should be able to hold public hearings whenever it is in the public interest to do so.

A Whistleblower Protection Authority would protect whistleblowers reporting potential corruption to the NACC, but despite this measure being contained in the original proposal for the corruption watchdog, it was not included in the final legislation to establish the NACC. Australia Institute polling research found that 84% of Australians supported the introduction of a Whistleblower Protection Authority.

No party should hold the majority vote on the NACC’s parliamentary committee, nor should the Chair be limited to a member of the Government. The NACC’s parliamentary committee should be able to select any member as its Chair, or the Chair could be chosen on a rotational basis.

To improve outcomes, the NACC Inspector’s powers under s 184 could be expanded so as to include oversight of the performance of the NACC, including how long its inquiries take.