This photo shows a general view of the Australian Parliament House building in Canberra on June 15, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)
CANBERRA — Australia's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) officially started its operation on Saturday, with its head declaring the body will be "fearless but fair."
The NACC, a key election promise of the Labor government, started its operation on Saturday, the first day of the 2023-24 financial year.
The NACC said it will enhance integrity in the Commonwealth public sector by deterring, detecting and preventing corrupt conduct
In a statement to coincide with the start date, NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton said the Australian people had expressed a clear desire for such a federal anti-corruption body with jurisdiction over Commonwealth of Australia officials.
READ MORE: Australia cracks down on companies misleading environmental claims, fake reviews
It is the first time Australia has a national agency with broad jurisdiction to "investigate serious or systemic corruption" across the Commonwealth public sector, according to the statement.
"We know the public are invested in this work and are watching expectantly," said Brereton, who led the landmark inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.
"I want the Commission to have the reputation of being fearless but fair. Our functions include not only detecting corruption, but also clearing the air of unfounded allegations of corruption."
READ MORE: Australia to launch national corruption watchdog
The NACC said it will enhance integrity in the Commonwealth public sector by deterring, detecting and preventing corrupt conduct involving Commonwealth public officials through education, monitoring, investigation, reporting and referral.