Latest news with #IndependentBroad-basedAnti-corruptionCommission
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Premier corruption probe 'unlikely' in another state
The highly publicised corruption probe into former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian would likely not have been possible in another state. NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption boss John Hatzistergos made the claim on Monday at a parliamentary inquiry into the adequacy of its Victorian counterpart's legislative framework. Under Victoria's "limited" definition of corrupt conduct, Mr Hatzistergos said it was unlikely the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission would have investigated or made findings against Ms Berejiklian. The ICAC chief commissioner told the inquiry the conduct exposed by Operation Keppel was "quite serious". "You can read the report and form your own views as to whether or not it's appropriate for that sort of conduct to be allowed to go without appropriate intervention from your corruption commission," he said. Operation Keppel uncovered the secret "close personal relationship" between Ms Berejiklian and former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire in a bombshell public hearing in October 2020. Mr Maguire resigned from NSW parliament in 2018 after ICAC began investigating his improper use of his role as an MP to benefit a company in which he had a financial interest. ICAC extended the investigation to include the premier in October 2021, prompting her resignation, and later found she engaged in serious corrupt conduct and breached public trust. The NSW Court of Appeal rejected Ms Berejiklian's attempt to clear her name in July 2024. Mr Hatzistergos pointed out ICAC required a majority of its three commissioners, including himself as chief commissioner, to support a public hearing for one to proceed. A public hearing has never occurred after a 2-1 vote, the former NSW attorney-general said. "It's always been 3-0," Mr Hatzistergos told the Integrity and Oversight Committee. "That doesn't mean that we don't take reputations into account." Victoria's IBAC Act states an examination can only be held in public if there are "exceptional circumstances" or if it is in the public interest and won't cause "unreasonable damage" to a person's reputation, safety or wellbeing. Mr Hatzistergos said there was no threshold for exceptional circumstances for ICAC, with public interest the "principle" requirement. The commission must also focus on "serious and systemic" corruption. The IBAC Act's definition of "corrupt conduct" requires it to constitute a criminal offence. Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich told the inquiry the Victorian and NSW watchdogs, the Law Institute, Victorian Bar and independent think tanks spoke with "one voice" in favour of expanding the definition. "The words at the end of section 4 of the definition should be removed so all of that 'grey corruption' can be addressed," he said. In his submission, Mr Redlich said the current definition provided a "safe haven for politicians and public officers". "We have serious questions that continue to be raised about whether or not the public sector still continues to place, first and foremost, (providing) frank and fearless advice ... to their minister," he said. "The scope for soft corruption has increased because of the nature of executive government." Mr Redlich, whose five-year term leading the Victorian watchdog ended in December 2022, also wants the "exceptional circumstances" provision for public hearings dumped. The highly publicised corruption probe into former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian would likely not have been possible in another state. NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption boss John Hatzistergos made the claim on Monday at a parliamentary inquiry into the adequacy of its Victorian counterpart's legislative framework. Under Victoria's "limited" definition of corrupt conduct, Mr Hatzistergos said it was unlikely the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission would have investigated or made findings against Ms Berejiklian. The ICAC chief commissioner told the inquiry the conduct exposed by Operation Keppel was "quite serious". "You can read the report and form your own views as to whether or not it's appropriate for that sort of conduct to be allowed to go without appropriate intervention from your corruption commission," he said. Operation Keppel uncovered the secret "close personal relationship" between Ms Berejiklian and former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire in a bombshell public hearing in October 2020. Mr Maguire resigned from NSW parliament in 2018 after ICAC began investigating his improper use of his role as an MP to benefit a company in which he had a financial interest. ICAC extended the investigation to include the premier in October 2021, prompting her resignation, and later found she engaged in serious corrupt conduct and breached public trust. The NSW Court of Appeal rejected Ms Berejiklian's attempt to clear her name in July 2024. Mr Hatzistergos pointed out ICAC required a majority of its three commissioners, including himself as chief commissioner, to support a public hearing for one to proceed. A public hearing has never occurred after a 2-1 vote, the former NSW attorney-general said. "It's always been 3-0," Mr Hatzistergos told the Integrity and Oversight Committee. "That doesn't mean that we don't take reputations into account." Victoria's IBAC Act states an examination can only be held in public if there are "exceptional circumstances" or if it is in the public interest and won't cause "unreasonable damage" to a person's reputation, safety or wellbeing. Mr Hatzistergos said there was no threshold for exceptional circumstances for ICAC, with public interest the "principle" requirement. The commission must also focus on "serious and systemic" corruption. The IBAC Act's definition of "corrupt conduct" requires it to constitute a criminal offence. Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich told the inquiry the Victorian and NSW watchdogs, the Law Institute, Victorian Bar and independent think tanks spoke with "one voice" in favour of expanding the definition. "The words at the end of section 4 of the definition should be removed so all of that 'grey corruption' can be addressed," he said. In his submission, Mr Redlich said the current definition provided a "safe haven for politicians and public officers". "We have serious questions that continue to be raised about whether or not the public sector still continues to place, first and foremost, (providing) frank and fearless advice ... to their minister," he said. "The scope for soft corruption has increased because of the nature of executive government." Mr Redlich, whose five-year term leading the Victorian watchdog ended in December 2022, also wants the "exceptional circumstances" provision for public hearings dumped. The highly publicised corruption probe into former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian would likely not have been possible in another state. NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption boss John Hatzistergos made the claim on Monday at a parliamentary inquiry into the adequacy of its Victorian counterpart's legislative framework. Under Victoria's "limited" definition of corrupt conduct, Mr Hatzistergos said it was unlikely the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission would have investigated or made findings against Ms Berejiklian. The ICAC chief commissioner told the inquiry the conduct exposed by Operation Keppel was "quite serious". "You can read the report and form your own views as to whether or not it's appropriate for that sort of conduct to be allowed to go without appropriate intervention from your corruption commission," he said. Operation Keppel uncovered the secret "close personal relationship" between Ms Berejiklian and former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire in a bombshell public hearing in October 2020. Mr Maguire resigned from NSW parliament in 2018 after ICAC began investigating his improper use of his role as an MP to benefit a company in which he had a financial interest. ICAC extended the investigation to include the premier in October 2021, prompting her resignation, and later found she engaged in serious corrupt conduct and breached public trust. The NSW Court of Appeal rejected Ms Berejiklian's attempt to clear her name in July 2024. Mr Hatzistergos pointed out ICAC required a majority of its three commissioners, including himself as chief commissioner, to support a public hearing for one to proceed. A public hearing has never occurred after a 2-1 vote, the former NSW attorney-general said. "It's always been 3-0," Mr Hatzistergos told the Integrity and Oversight Committee. "That doesn't mean that we don't take reputations into account." Victoria's IBAC Act states an examination can only be held in public if there are "exceptional circumstances" or if it is in the public interest and won't cause "unreasonable damage" to a person's reputation, safety or wellbeing. Mr Hatzistergos said there was no threshold for exceptional circumstances for ICAC, with public interest the "principle" requirement. The commission must also focus on "serious and systemic" corruption. The IBAC Act's definition of "corrupt conduct" requires it to constitute a criminal offence. Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich told the inquiry the Victorian and NSW watchdogs, the Law Institute, Victorian Bar and independent think tanks spoke with "one voice" in favour of expanding the definition. "The words at the end of section 4 of the definition should be removed so all of that 'grey corruption' can be addressed," he said. In his submission, Mr Redlich said the current definition provided a "safe haven for politicians and public officers". "We have serious questions that continue to be raised about whether or not the public sector still continues to place, first and foremost, (providing) frank and fearless advice ... to their minister," he said. "The scope for soft corruption has increased because of the nature of executive government." Mr Redlich, whose five-year term leading the Victorian watchdog ended in December 2022, also wants the "exceptional circumstances" provision for public hearings dumped. The highly publicised corruption probe into former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian would likely not have been possible in another state. NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption boss John Hatzistergos made the claim on Monday at a parliamentary inquiry into the adequacy of its Victorian counterpart's legislative framework. Under Victoria's "limited" definition of corrupt conduct, Mr Hatzistergos said it was unlikely the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission would have investigated or made findings against Ms Berejiklian. The ICAC chief commissioner told the inquiry the conduct exposed by Operation Keppel was "quite serious". "You can read the report and form your own views as to whether or not it's appropriate for that sort of conduct to be allowed to go without appropriate intervention from your corruption commission," he said. Operation Keppel uncovered the secret "close personal relationship" between Ms Berejiklian and former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire in a bombshell public hearing in October 2020. Mr Maguire resigned from NSW parliament in 2018 after ICAC began investigating his improper use of his role as an MP to benefit a company in which he had a financial interest. ICAC extended the investigation to include the premier in October 2021, prompting her resignation, and later found she engaged in serious corrupt conduct and breached public trust. The NSW Court of Appeal rejected Ms Berejiklian's attempt to clear her name in July 2024. Mr Hatzistergos pointed out ICAC required a majority of its three commissioners, including himself as chief commissioner, to support a public hearing for one to proceed. A public hearing has never occurred after a 2-1 vote, the former NSW attorney-general said. "It's always been 3-0," Mr Hatzistergos told the Integrity and Oversight Committee. "That doesn't mean that we don't take reputations into account." Victoria's IBAC Act states an examination can only be held in public if there are "exceptional circumstances" or if it is in the public interest and won't cause "unreasonable damage" to a person's reputation, safety or wellbeing. Mr Hatzistergos said there was no threshold for exceptional circumstances for ICAC, with public interest the "principle" requirement. The commission must also focus on "serious and systemic" corruption. The IBAC Act's definition of "corrupt conduct" requires it to constitute a criminal offence. Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich told the inquiry the Victorian and NSW watchdogs, the Law Institute, Victorian Bar and independent think tanks spoke with "one voice" in favour of expanding the definition. "The words at the end of section 4 of the definition should be removed so all of that 'grey corruption' can be addressed," he said. In his submission, Mr Redlich said the current definition provided a "safe haven for politicians and public officers". "We have serious questions that continue to be raised about whether or not the public sector still continues to place, first and foremost, (providing) frank and fearless advice ... to their minister," he said. "The scope for soft corruption has increased because of the nature of executive government." Mr Redlich, whose five-year term leading the Victorian watchdog ended in December 2022, also wants the "exceptional circumstances" provision for public hearings dumped.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Premier corruption probe 'unlikely' in another state
The highly publicised corruption probe into former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian would likely not have been possible in another state. NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption boss John Hatzistergos made the claim on Monday at a parliamentary inquiry into the adequacy of its Victorian counterpart's legislative framework. Under Victoria's "limited" definition of corrupt conduct, Mr Hatzistergos said it was unlikely the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission would have investigated or made findings against Ms Berejiklian. The ICAC chief commissioner told the inquiry the conduct exposed by Operation Keppel was "quite serious". "You can read the report and form your own views as to whether or not it's appropriate for that sort of conduct to be allowed to go without appropriate intervention from your corruption commission," he said. Operation Keppel uncovered the secret "close personal relationship" between Ms Berejiklian and former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire in a bombshell public hearing in October 2020. Mr Maguire resigned from NSW parliament in 2018 after ICAC began investigating his improper use of his role as an MP to benefit a company in which he had a financial interest. ICAC extended the investigation to include the premier in October 2021, prompting her resignation, and later found she engaged in serious corrupt conduct and breached public trust. The NSW Court of Appeal rejected Ms Berejiklian's attempt to clear her name in July 2024. Mr Hatzistergos pointed out ICAC required a majority of its three commissioners, including himself as chief commissioner, to support a public hearing for one to proceed. A public hearing has never occurred after a 2-1 vote, the former NSW attorney-general said. "It's always been 3-0," Mr Hatzistergos told the Integrity and Oversight Committee. "That doesn't mean that we don't take reputations into account." Victoria's IBAC Act states an examination can only be held in public if there are "exceptional circumstances" or if it is in the public interest and won't cause "unreasonable damage" to a person's reputation, safety or wellbeing. Mr Hatzistergos said there was no threshold for exceptional circumstances for ICAC, with public interest the "principle" requirement. The commission must also focus on "serious and systemic" corruption. The IBAC Act's definition of "corrupt conduct" requires it to constitute a criminal offence. Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich told the inquiry the Victorian and NSW watchdogs, the Law Institute, Victorian Bar and independent think tanks spoke with "one voice" in favour of expanding the definition. "The words at the end of section 4 of the definition should be removed so all of that 'grey corruption' can be addressed," he said. In his submission, Mr Redlich said the current definition provided a "safe haven for politicians and public officers". "We have serious questions that continue to be raised about whether or not the public sector still continues to place, first and foremost, (providing) frank and fearless advice ... to their minister," he said. "The scope for soft corruption has increased because of the nature of executive government." Mr Redlich, whose five-year term leading the Victorian watchdog ended in December 2022, also wants the "exceptional circumstances" provision for public hearings dumped.
The Guardian
02-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Jacinta Allan denies Victoria police force is in chaos as another top cop quits
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has denied the state's police force is in chaos after the acting chief commissioner, Rick Nugent, announced he wouldn't apply for the permanent position after just 41 days in the job. Nugent on Wednesday said he made the 'difficult decision' not to seek the role after realising he couldn't commit to its demanding 24/7 nature. 'After almost four decades at Victoria police, plus 18 months as emergency management commissioner, I cannot say, hand on heart, that I have it in me to fulfil the duties of this office for the full five years,' he said. 'It is simple yet unavoidably true, life is short and there are other passions and opportunities that I wish to pursue.' Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Nugent denied reports in the Herald Sun on Wednesday that suggested he had quit due to a conflict of interest related to his previous tenure as deputy commissioner, which had been referred to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac). 'I want to be completely clear about media reporting this morning about complaints that have been made to Ibac. These allegations are entirely wrong and I look forward to meeting with Ibac to resolve these issues as quickly as possible,' he said. 'I will work with government as to how long I remain in the role of acting chief commissioner. As always, I remain in absolute gratitude for the incredible work of everyone at Victoria police in keeping our community safe.' Nugent was appointed as chief commissioner in mid-February, after the resignation of Shane Patton following a vote of no confidence by police rank-and-file. In the same week, the government also notified then-deputy commissioner Neil Paterson that his contract would not be renewed. This leadership instability at the top of Victoria police coincides with the state recording its highest crime rate in almost a decade, which has been driven by cost-of-living pressures, family violence and a small group of young repeat offenders. Allan denied the departures were creating chaos in the force. Sign up to Afternoon Update: Election 2025 Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key election campaign stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion She said her police minister, Anthony Carbines, was made aware this week that Nugent was reconsidering applying for the role and thanked him for his 'decades of service'. 'He has been very upfront about his reasons for reconsidering and deciding not to apply for the role,' Allan said. 'I think that demonstrates that behind every police uniform is a person and we should respect that.' She said she was not aware of supposed conflict of interest complaint when she appointed him to the top job. Allan said Nugent would remain in the role until a permanent replacement was found, with applications closing on Friday. The federal Coalition leader, Peter Dutton, speaking on ABC Radio Melbourne, said Nugent's decision was 'a sign that the government's in real trouble'. 'The wheels are falling off', he said of the state government, describing it as facing 'very significant problems'. 'Victorians feel it. They can sense that with this latest change that a lot of fundamental mistakes are being made and problems at the core of the government.' Victoria – traditionally Labor's best performing state – has emerged as a key battleground for the upcoming federal election, with the Coalition hoping to capitalise on the unpopularity of the decade-old state Labor government.
