NT corruption watchdog super agency a step closer: Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill passed

The Finocchiaro CLP Government passed its Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill 2025 through Parliament on Tuesday evening.

NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said her government’s Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill “represents a step toward restoring public trust, strengthening oversight and modernising the Territory’s integrity architecture. 2025. Pic: Fia Walsh.

The Finocchiaro CLP Government passed its Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill 2025 through Parliament on Tuesday evening.

The Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the legislation fulfils the key recommendations of the independent McClintock-Hiley Review and “represents a step toward restoring public trust, strengthening oversight and modernising the Territory’s integrity architecture”.

Ms Finocchiaro said the reforms are designed to restore confidence in the Territory’s integrity system.

Under the reforms, a new Integrity and Ethics Commissioner will become the Territory’s principal integrity officer, consolidating the functions of the ICAC, the Ombudsman, the Information Commissioner and the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner.

The NT Government argues that its new independent corruption watchdog replaces a system that blurred responsibility

The government argues that the new independent office replaces a system that often duplicated effort, created unnecessary cost and blurred responsibility.

Supporting the Commissioner will be a dedicated Office of the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner, led by a Chief Executive Officer to provide corporate, staffing and governance functions, “ensuring the Commissioner can focus squarely on their statutory integrity responsibilities”.

The Chief Minister said to further protect independence, an Integrity and Ethics Oversight Inspector will be appointed to scrutinise the Commissioner’s conduct and manage any potential conflicts of interest, embedding rigorous checks and balances across the system.

“All existing statutory powers are preserved,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“ What we are doing is strengthening independence, eliminating duplication and ensuring a more efficient and transparent integrity system for Territorians.”

A staged transition process will ensure continuity of service as the new model is implemented. A national recruitment process will now begin to secure a highly qualified inaugural Commissioner.

The full integrity framework is expected to become operational in the first half of 2026.

Originally published as NT corruption watchdog super agency a step closer: Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill passed