When the CCC refers a complaint to an agency, we use our monitoring powers to determine how the matter is being dealt with by the agency.
In some circumstances, the CCC may consider that a matter involving serious and/or systemic corruption should be dealt with by the agency in the first instance, but in order to meet the public interest, the CCC should:
- issue advisory guidelines for the conduct of investigations by public officials into corrupt conduct
- closely monitor how the agency deals with the complaint
- consider assuming responsibility for the investigation (e.g. if, at some stage, the investigation might require the additional resources of the CCC to deal with the complaint).
The focus of our monitoring activities is to determine whether the agency is dealing with a matter appropriately. The timing and frequency of reporting, and the way an agency is required to report to us, is determined in consultation with the agency, but generally matters subject to monitoring are expected to be dealt with within 12 months of referral.
In some circumstances, we may also direct the agency to undertake further investigation of a matter to ensure the investigation withstands public scrutiny.
If we find the standard of an investigation or the outcome is not satisfactory, then we can assume responsibility for dealing with the complaint.
Further information about our monitoring role can be found in Corruption in Focus.
