The proposal would establish two new government functions with effect from 1 July 2021.

• The Australian Federal Integrity Commission (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.
• The Office of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Standards Commissioner (CPSC) would be an independent function, within the Department of Parliamentary Services. The Commissioner would assist the Presiding Officers, the Privileges Committees, the Prime Minister and AFIC with the assessment, investigation and resolution of alleged breaches of a new parliamentary code of conduct, and to create and maintain a new register of interests for all parliamentarians. A Commonwealth Parliamentary Standards Commissioner would lead the office.
  • A Parliamentary Integrity Adviser would be appointed to support the CPSC by providing independent, confidential advice and guidance to Members of parliament and their staff on how to honour the applicable codes of conduct.
  • The CPSC would employ approximately 15 staff.

Detailed policy specifications are provided at Attachment A.