Labor has promised to ‘introduce legislation’ for a Commonwealth ICAC before the end of the calendar year, but it is unlikely that an anti-corruption body will be up and running until the second half of 2023.

The commission could see greater scrutiny over contracts that have been alleged to violate federal procurement rules, with retrospective powers to investigate alleged misconduct up to fifteen years ago.

This article reflects on what has already transpired in recent years, considers how an ICAC could impact suppliers and contractors, and outlines what to expect over the next 12 months.