Appendix 5 - Public inquiries into the APS and APS agencies

This appendix refers to royal commissions, parliamentary inquiries and public inquiries established by the Australian Government that were announced, conducted or have reported during 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, and are of particular note for the Australian Public Service.

Information is current at 30 June 2023.

Royal commissions

A list of current and recent royal commissions can be found at: Current Royal Commissions.

Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme

The Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme was established on 18 August 2022 to inquire into:

• the establishment, design and implementation of the scheme
• the use of third-party debt collectors under the scheme
• concerns raised after the implementation of the scheme
• the intended or actual outcomes of the scheme.

The report was released on 7 July 2023.

More information can be found at: Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was established in April 2019 in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability.

The Commission investigated and reported on experiences and conditions in all settings and contexts, including:

• schools
• workplaces
• jails and detention centres
• secure disability and mental health facilities
• group homes or boarding houses
• family homes
• hospitals
• day programs.

The Commission published progress reports at intervals of approximately 6 months.

An interim report was published on 30 October 2020. The final report was released on 29 September 2023.

More information can be found at: Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established on 8 July 2021 to inquire into the high rates of suicide in Defence and veteran communities and make recommendations to the Australian Government.

An interim report was delivered on 11 August 2022. A final report is due to be delivered to the Government by 17 June 2024.

More information can be found at: Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Parliamentary inquiries

A list of current parliamentary inquiries can be found at Current Inquiries.

Parliamentary inquiries – Senate inquiries

Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023

The Senate referred the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023 for inquiry and report by 16 March 2023.

The report has been released.

More information can be found at: Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023.

Inquiry into management and assurance of integrity by consulting services (Consulting services)

On 9 March 2023, the Senate referred an inquiry into the management and assurance of integrity by consulting services provided for the Australian Government to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee for report by 26 September 2023.

On 16 June 2023, the Senate agreed to extend the presentation of the final report until 30 November 2023.

More information can be found at: Inquiry into management and assurance of integrity by consulting services (Consulting services).

The operation of Commonwealth Freedom of Information (FOI) laws

On 28 March 2023, the Senate referred an inquiry into the operation of Commonwealth Freedom of Information (FOI) laws to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee.

The reporting date is 7 December 2023.

More information can be found at: The operation of Commonwealth Freedom of Information (FOI) laws.

Parliamentary inquiries – Joint Committee inquiries

Capability and Culture of the NDIA

The Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme is inquiring into the capability and culture of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

An interim report was published in March 2023.

More information can be found at: Capability and Culture of the NDIA.

Inquiry into Commonwealth grants administration

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit inquired into and reported on Commonwealth grants administration with a view to strengthening the integrity and administration of grants.

The final report was released on 29 June 2023.

More information can be found at: Inquiry into Commonwealth grants administration.

Commonwealth procurement: Inquiry into Auditor-General Reports 6, 15, 30, 42 (2021–22) and 5 (2022–23)

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is conducting an inquiry into Commonwealth procurement, with a view to improving the culture of how procurement rules and guidelines are implemented across the Australian Public Service.

The report was released on 9 August 2023.

More information can be found at: Commonwealth procurement: Inquiry into Auditor-General Reports 6, 15, 30, 42 (2021–22) and 5 (2022–23).

Public Service Amendment Bill 2023

On 22 June 2023, the Selection of Bills Committee referred the provisions of the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023 to the committee for inquiry.

The report was delivered on 30 August 2023.

More information can be found at: Public Service Amendment Bill 2023.

Inquiry into procurement at Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is conducting an inquiry into procurement at Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), with a particular focus on the matters contained in or related to the Independent Review of Services Australia and NDIA Procurement and Contracting (Watt Review).

An interim report was released on 13 September 2023.

More information can be found at: Inquiry into procurement at Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency.

Ethics and Professional Accountability: Structural Challenges in the Audit, Assurance and Consultancy Industry

On 22 June 2023, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services resolved to start an inquiry into recent allegations of, and responses to, misconduct in the Australian operations of the major accounting, audit and consultancy firms (including but not exclusive to the ‘Big Four’).

The committee intends to report to the Parliament by mid-2024.

More information can be found at: Ethics and Professional Accountability: Structural Challenges in the Audit, Assurance and Consultancy Industry.

Inquiry into ASIC's capacity and capability to respond to reports of alleged misconduct

On 27 October 2022, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services began an inquiry into ASIC’s capacity and capability to respond to reports of alleged misconduct.

The committee currently intends to table a report in both Houses of the Parliament by June 2024.

More information can be found at: Inquiry into ASIC's capacity and capability to respond to reports of alleged misconduct.

Inquiry into the operation of the National Redress Scheme

On 28 November 2022, the Joint Committee on the National Redress Scheme resolved to inquire into and report upon the operations of the scheme.

More information can be found at: Inquiry into the operation of the National Redress Scheme.

Inquiry into probity and ethics in the Australian Public Sector

On 27 June 2023, the Joint Committee on Public Accounts and Audit initiated an inquiry into probity and ethics in the Australian Public Sector, with a view to examining whether there are systemic factors contributing to poor ethical behaviour in Government agencies, and identifying opportunities to strengthen government integrity and accountability.

More information can be found at: Inquiry into probity and ethics in the Australian Public Sector.

Public inquiries

Public inquiries listed here are discrete and temporary bodies established by Executive Government. They draw membership from outside of Government and have public processes of review and reporting.

The Inquiry into the Appointment of the Former Prime Minister to Administer Multiple Departments

The Inquiry into the Appointment of the Former Prime Minister to Administer Multiple Departments was announced by the Australian Government on 26 August 2022.

A report was provided to Government and published 25 November 2022.

More information can be found at: Inquiry into the Appointment of the Former Prime Minister to Administer Multiple Departments.

The Independent Review of Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Procurement and Contracting

The Independent Review of Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Procurement and Contracting examined the procurement processes leading to the award of contracts to Synergy 360 and associated entities.

Reports by the independent reviewer and the taskforce were released on 6 March 2023.

More information can be found at: NDIS Review of procurement and contracting.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Review

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Review was announced by the Australian Government on 18 October 2022, to examine the design, operations and sustainability of the NDIS. It will also look at ways to make the market and workforce more responsive, supportive and sustainable.

The Minister has appointed an Independent Review Panel. The panel is committed to deliver a final report to Disability Reform Ministers by no later than the end of October 2023.

More information can be found at: Working together to deliver the NDIS.

Review of Public Sector Board Appointments Processes

The Review of Public Sector Board Appointments Processes was announced by the Australian Government on 5 February 2023, to consider and propose appropriate standards for the processes by which Board members are appointed to Government Boards.

The review’s final report to the Government will be published later in 2023.

More information can be found at: Review of Public Sector Board Appointments Processes.

Other reports

Under Australian Government reporting guidelines, the annual reports of all Government agencies must include particulars on any report on the agency made by:

• the Auditor-General, other than a report under section 43 of the Act (which deals with the Auditor-General’s audit of the annual financial statements for Commonwealth entities)
• a Committee of either or both Houses of the Parliament
• the Commonwealth Ombudsman
• the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
• any capability reviews of the entity released during the reporting period.

Annual reports are found on the Transparency Portal website.