Resolutions of the Senate — National Anti-Corruption Commission Joint Committee

Milton Dick

I have received the following message from the Senate:

That the Senate:

orders that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission in its consideration of approval of the minister's proposed recommendation for the appointment of the National Anti-Corruption Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner under section 178 of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022, require from the Attorney-General all primary documentation relevant to applications for the position of Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner, any review of the applications by the Attorney-General's Department, any panel undertaking assessments or conducting interviews, or the Attorney-General; and

directs the committee to conduct interviews with each recommended candidate during in camera hearings, where there is sufficient opportunity to question candidates and consider their responses.

The Senate requests the concurrence of the House in this resolution.

Ordered that the message be considered immediately.

Michelle Rowland

I move:

That this House:

does not concur in the resolution transmitted by the Senate; and

notes that:

on Monday, 22 June 2026, the Australian Government commenced the process to select and appoint a Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for the National Anti-Corruption Commission;

the Government is seeking candidates with the highest levels of integrity, leadership and decision-making ability for these positions;

the Government confirmed that appointments will be made through an open, competitive, and merit-based process, as all the appointments to the National Anti-Corruption Commission have been made;

consistent with the requirement under section 178 of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022, the Attorney-General will refer the proposed appointments to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (the committee) for approval before recommending them to the Governor-General for appointment;

there is a need to balance the committee's important role under the legislation with respecting the privacy of candidates and their willingness to put themselves forward as candidates;

the Government is committed to providing the committee with appropriate information about the proposed candidates on which to base its decision; and

the motion purports to expand the functions of the committee beyond that prescribed by statute.

Milton Dick

The question is that the motion be agreed to.