Labor will finally release findings on cronyism after a motley crew of senators embarrassed the party despite a government promise of more transparency.
A week-long standoff began with independent David Pocock spearheading a Senate motion forcing the government to answer five more questions during daily question time, until it tabled a report on the matter.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher commissioned a review into "jobs for mates" in the public sector after criticising the former coalition government's practices, but has sat on the report for more than two years.
Labor was scathing of former prime minister Scott Morrison while in opposition, saying he oversaw a culture of secrecy and that it would be more transparent and forthcoming in government.
A lack of action has stirred anger and spurred the opposition and crossbenchers, who accuse Labor of being all talk on the issue and have upped their attacks on the party's integrity in recent months.
The government has defied Senate orders and rejected a freedom of information request to release Lynelle Briggs' report, saying it was exempt as cabinet was still considering it.
The coalition took its foot off Labor's neck, agreeing to halt the extra questions for the rest of the year after Senator Gallagher pledged to release the report by December 31.
She also offered a private briefing to the parliamentary committee that oversees the issue.
Senator Pocock failed to have the deadline brought forward to November 24 so parliament had time to enforce the ultimatum before it rose for the year, and to ensure Labor did not bury it during the holidays when Australians have tuned out.
"There are all sorts of former Labor politicians copping some pretty sweet gigs, and they may very well have had the experience and the expertise for those jobs, but how are we to know?" he said.
"After two years, you've got to get a bit suspicious."
The independent referred to comments by Labor senators in opposition criticising the then-coalition government for withholding documents, now similar to their own actions in power.
Labor retaliated after being outgunned on the issue in the Senate and tried to have question time run indefinitely on Thursday, when politicians were due to fly home for the weekend.
It also failed to force all senators to attend the hour-long session as crossbenchers usually avoid it unless they have been allocated a question.
