Angry Attorney-General Rau rejects call for ICAC `reality show'

THE state's new Independent Commission Against Corruption should  hold open hearings to make public figures more accountable, a Sydney barrister says.

THE state's new Independent Commission Against Corruption should consider holding open hearings to make public figures more accountable, a Sydney barrister says.

Geoffrey Watson SC, Assisting Counsel in New South Wales' ICAC hearings, told The Advertiser that South Australia's ICAC model was missing a trick by conducting private hearings where only the independent commissioner has discretion to make public statements about cases in the public interest.

But Attorney-General John Rau hit back, saying the ICAC was "not a state-funded version of reality TV".

The state's ICAC starts operating on September 1, with a budget of $32 million over five years, but hearings will be closed and penalties will apply to anyone who publicly reveals investigations, including on social media.

"It is maybe a mistake not to have, as one of its central functions, the power to conduct a public inquiry. The public inquiry has proved to be the best tool in exposing corruption for what it really is," Mr Watson said.

"That exposure has got to have a powerful deterrent effect. There is little doubt that these ICACs ... have struck fear into the hearts of bad cops, corrupt politicians and others who have something to fear from these very public inquiries."

But Mr Watson said the state's ICAC was "incredibly lucky" to have secured the services of former Federal and Supreme Court judge Bruce Lander as its independent commissioner.

"(Mr Lander) is really an outstanding figure and he has a national reputation."

The ICAC will investigate corruption in public administration, including allegations of corruption involving public officials such as politicians, police, judicial officers, statutory office holders and public servants, including teachers and health workers.

It is independent of the State Government and will provide an annual report to State Parliament.

Mr Rau said he would refrain from "pontificating on the circus that is their (New South Wales) ICAC".

"Our model is designed to secure the conviction of criminals, not as a state-funded version of reality TV," he said.

Earlier this year, Justice Lander said that he was happy with the ICAC's structure and he also defended its lack of open hearings.