The proposal would establish an Australian Federal Integrity Commission (AFIC) with functions as follows:

• The AFIC would be an independent statutory agency responsible for implementing a new national integrity strategy and preventing corruption in federal public administration.
  • The AFIC framework would include a comprehensive anti-corruption research program, the creation of a national anti-corruption action plan, and dedicated education, training and prevention functions. AFIC would also have strong investigatory powers to allow it to hold hearings and make findings in relation to allegations of serious and/or systemic corruption in federal public administration.
• AFIC would require eight statutory leadership appointments and employ around 197 staff.
  • The Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) would be subsumed into AFIC. ACLEI’s funding and current staff would be redirected to AFIC less any merger related savings.
• Funding of $14.5 million each year would be provided for external legal, research, policy advice contracting and independent auditing services.
• A Corporate Services and Facilities branch would also require funding to manage travel expenses and other contracting services. This funding would be indexed over time.

AFIC funding would be indexed by CPI.

The proposal would begin on 1 October 2022.

Detailed policy specifications are provided at Attachment B.