Mark Speakman says Libs will oppose outrageous new powers for ICAC

The ICAC’s investigation into fugitive property developer Jean Nassif could be stymied after the NSW Opposition said it would block new powers for the corruption watchdog.

The corruption watchdog’s newly granted power to investigate illegally recorded conversations could be blocked by parliament, in a move which could hamper an Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation involving fugitive property developer Jean Nassif.

The future of the new powers is now set to be decided in parliament next month, in a vote which could come down to the Greens.

Liberal Leader Mark Speakman announced that the Opposition would vote to block the new powers when parliament returns next month, accusing the ICAC of a “massive power grab”.

The push to bin the new powers is being spearheaded by Liberal Democrat John Ruddick, who on Thursday said that it was better to uphold civil liberties than expose all corruption.

Mr Ruddick conceded that if the powers were blocked, it would mean that a “little bit of corruption” would not be exposed.

“The price is that a few corrupt people get away with it,” he said.

“That’s not great, but its better to protect our ancient civil liberties.”

ICAC’s investigation into Jean Nassif (left) may run into hurdles, as Opposition Leader Mark Speakman says he will oppose new powers for the corruption watchdog,

Mr Speakman accused the Minns government of being “reckless” in giving the ICAC the new powers, which he described as “reckless and outrageous and outlandish and over the top”.

Mr Speakman also questioned whether ICAC had broken the law by possessing an illegal recording.

Parliament will vote on whether to ditch the new powers next month. That vote could ultimately be decided by the Greens.

But a spokeswoman for the ICAC said they never looked at the potentially illegal recording.

“During the course of an ongoing investigation, the commission has come into possession of records of private conversations made by third parties which may have been made (illegally),” she said.

She said the ICAC asked for the law to be changed before reviewing the material.

“The commission considers it has acted appropriately and in accordance with relevant legal requirements,” she said.

Attorney-General Michael Daley gave the ICAC the power to investigate illegally-recorded conversations on Wednesday at the request of Commissioner John Hatzistergos.

Sources familiar with the matter say the request related to an investigation launched into extraordinary allegations made by Liberal MP Ray Williams last year.

Under parliamentary privilege, Mr Williams alleged that senior NSW Liberals had been paid “significant funds in order to arrange to put new councillors on The Hills Shire Council who would be supportive of future Toplace development applications”.

The new ICAC powers were granted unilaterally via regulation, rather than by legislation which would need to have been voted on in parliament.

Mr Speakman said the Coalition was open to considering legislative changes if more safeguards were in place.