MP calls for parliamentary inquiry after accusing anti-corruption watchdog of misconduct

The SA-Best MP has demanded a parliamentary inquiry into what he called ICAC’s “nefarious endeavours”.

A South Australian MP has accused the state’s anti-corruption watchdog of the very thing they are employed to protect against, saying he has never encountered more corruption within a government agency.

Upper House SA Best MP Frank Pangallo launched the attack on the state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) under parliamentary privilege on Wednesday.

Mr Pangallo said “he had not seen this level of dishonest and corrupt activity within a government agency, let alone one dealing with corruption”.

“Their nefarious endeavours cannot simply be cast aside and justified as some form of noble cause corruption,” he said.

Mr Pangallo began his address by quoting a Latin phrase meaning: “Who will guard the guards themselves?”

He went on to say the phrase could be applied to the ICAC and the statutory officers leading the organisation.

“They think they are untouchable, protected — or so they thought — by the secrecy clauses that were built into the act designed to protect the integrity of their investigations, not for them to also be abused,” he said.

Frank Pangallo MP has called for an parliamentary inquiry into the Independent Commission Against Corruption following accusations of corruption and abuse of power. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Pangallo has called for parliament to establish a special Commission of Inquiry with the powers of a Royal Commission into ICAC and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He said any recommendations should be referred to the Police Commissioner to investigate any breaches of the law” in place of parliamentary inquiry.

He also said the inquiry should reference two high-profile cases — former police officer Doug Barr and former Renewal SA boss, John Hanlon.

Mr Pangallo also called on the Attorney-General to initiate measures to compel ICAC to disclose all evidence to SAPOL and the ODPP.

Mr Hanlon was charged with abuse of office when the commission was headed by Bruce Lander and maintained his innocence.

His prosecution, handled by the DPP, was dropped last week after a District Court judge dismissed evidence against him.

Mr Barr took his own life amid an ICAC investigation.

Mr Pangallo claimed he has evidence of the ICAC abusing their power and referred to affidavits, memos and other documents linked to the probe into Mr Hanlon.

He also alleged ICAC knowingly pursued a high-profile public servant, despite holding evidence that supported his claims that he had done nothing wrong.

Mr Pangallo, a former Today Tonight journalist, said, ‘If I were still a journalist, the scandalous abuse of power and public money would easily top the stories I have done, spanning 46 years. It is that bad.”

“It is a matter concerning grave miscarriages of justice and the integrity of our criminal justice system and our faith and trust in it and of the integrity agencies themselves, and that must now be of great concern to all South Australians”.

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