Australia's new anti-corruption watchdog has received more than 40 referrals after becoming operational two days ago.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission, which officially started on July 1, is headed by former NSW Court of Appeal judge Paul Brereton.
In his opening speech in Canberra on Monday, Mr Brereton described the establishment of the commission as a "historic moment".
"First and foremost, the people of the Commonwealth are no longer prepared to tolerate practices which might once have been the subject of, if not acceptance, at least acquiescence," he said.
"You have clearly expressed the desire for a Commonwealth anti-corruption agency."
Mr Brereton said the commission had received 44 referrals online and five telephone requests for callbacks, which would be followed up immediately.
He has signed instruments delegating and authorising officers of the commission to deal with and exercise the powers of the commission.
Earlier, senior Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce earlier accused the Greens of politicising the commission after one of its senators made an immediate referral.
Greens senator Barbara Pocock referred consultancy firm PwC to the commission following revelations staff shared confidential tax information from the Treasury department to drum up new business.
Senator Pocock denied she was politicising the commission, saying the PwC referral arose out of a need for transparency.
The integrity commission, which is independent of the government, is tasked with stamping out corrupt conduct involving commonwealth officials, including ministers, parliamentarians and their staff, public servants, and government contractors.
Anyone can refer a matter to the commission, which will then decide whether or not to investigate.
The commission can also make its own determinations about what to investigate without a referral.
