Appendix 5ꟷPublic 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 2023 to 30 June 2024, and are of particular note for the Australian Public Service.
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 Robodebt scheme; the use of third-party debt collectors under the Robodebt scheme; concerns raised following the implementation of the Robodebt scheme; and the intended or actual outcomes of the Robodebt scheme.
The report was published on 7 July 2023. Subsequently, corrections were made and an updated report was published on 11 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 on 4 April 2019 in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability.
The final report was first published on 29 September 2023. Subsequently, minor corrections were made and an updated report was published on 2 November 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 systemic issues and risk factors relevant to suicide and suicide behaviours in Defence and veteran communities.
An interim report was published on 11 August 2022.
The final report was delivered to the Australian Government on 9 September 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.
Senate inquiries
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 Senate Finance and Public Administration Committees for inquiry.
The report was delivered on 30 August 2023.
More information can be found at Public Service Amendment Bill 2023.
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 report was delivered on 7 December 2023.
More information can be found at The operation of Commonwealth Freedom of Information.
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 inquiry.
The report was delivered on 12 June 2024.
More information can be found at Inquiry into management and assurance of integrity by consulting services.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation and enforcement
On 27 October 2022, the Senate referred an inquiry into the capacity and capability of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to undertake proportionate investigation and enforcement action arising from reports of alleged misconduct to the Senate Economics References Committee (the Committee) for report by the last sitting day in June 2024. On 24 June 2024, the Senate agreed to an extension of the reporting date to 3 July 2024.
The report was delivered on 3 July 2024.
More information can be found at Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation and enforcement .
Inquiry into the performance of the Department of Defence in supporting the capability and capacity of Australia’s defence industry
On 21 June 2023, the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee resolved to inquire into the performance of the Department of Defence in supporting the capability and capacity of Australia’s defence industry.
An interim report was published on 19 October 2023.
On 28 February 2024, the reporting day was extended to 28 November 2024.
More information can be found at Performance of the Department of Defence in supporting the capability and capacity of Australia’s defence industry.
Joint Committee inquiries
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 conducted 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 in 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).
Capability and Culture of the NDIA
The Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme conducted an inquiry into the capability and culture of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
The final report was released in November 2023.
More information can be found at Capability and Culture of the NDIA.
Inquiry into procurement at Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency
The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit conducted 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).
The final report was released in June 2024.
More information can be found at Inquiry into procurement at Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency.
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.
The report was released in June 2024.
More information can be found at Inquiry into probity and ethics in the Australian Public Sector.
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 December 2024.
More information can be found at Ethics and Professional Accountability: Structural Challenges in the Audit, Assurance and Consultancy Industry.
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.
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 looks at ways to make the market and workforce more responsive, supportive and sustainable.
The final report, Working together to deliver the NDIS, was published on 7 December 2023.
More information can be found at NDIS Review.
Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry
On 21 September 2023, the Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP announced an independent inquiry into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Inquiry will review the Commonwealth Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and make recommendations to improve response measures in the event of future pandemics. It will consider opportunities for systems to more effectively anticipate, adapt and respond to pandemics in areas of Commonwealth Government responsibility.
The Prime Minister has appointed an Independent Panel of 3 eminent people to conduct the Inquiry.
The final report will be presented to the Australian Government by 25 October 2024.
More information can be found at Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry.
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 Australian Government was delivered in August 2023 and is under consideration by Government.
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.