Federal whistleblowers who report suspected corruption are being left in a state of uncertainty and psychological distress because of delays and poor communication from the National Anti-Corruption Commission, a parliamentary inquiry has been told.
As the Albanese government begins the search for a new anti-corruption boss after the shock resignation of foundation commissioner Paul Brereton last month, a major human rights body will on Friday warn that people who expose alleged government wrongdoing often face prolonged waits to learn whether their complaints will be investigated and whether they qualify for legal protections.
The departure of Brereton and his deputy, Nicole Rose, has sparked calls for an overhaul of the body, established in 2023, which critics have accused of falling well short of the gold standard for integrity bodies. Brereton said public questions about his leadership forced his departure.
The body has completed assessments of more than 92 per cent of the 7624 referrals received over the past three years. Its 34 current investigations cover former or current parliamentarians and staff, senior executives in the public service, contractors and consultants.
But the Human Rights Legal Centre warned that whistleblowers were at risk of suffering “procedural burnout” as they navigated multiple regulators while waiting for responses from the anti-corruption watchdog.
“Providing timely referrals is essential for both the quality of the investigation and for...
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