The implications of the Senate inquiry into corrupt practices for Australians operating overseas

On 24 June 2015, the Commonwealth Senate voted in favour of undertaking an inquiry into corrupt practices by Australian entities operating in foreign jurisdictions and the adequacy of Australia's anti-bribery legislation to combat those practices.

The Senate inquiry, which is currently accepting submissions, is due to table its final report by 1 July 2016. The terms of reference governing the inquiry primarily focus on the following key issues:

• the effectiveness of the existing legal framework in Australia for investigating and prosecuting foreign corrupt practices;
• the role and resourcing of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and other agencies to properly investigate and prosecute foreign corrupt practices; and