Matt Kean calls for investigation into ICAC’s conduct
The high-powered inspector charged with overseeing the ICAC has been asked to launch a full inquiry into the corruption watchdog’s handling of matters involving Gladys Berejiklian.
NSW
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Exclusive: The high-powered inspector charged with overseeing the Independent Commission Against Corruption has been asked to launch a full probe into the corruption watchdog’s handling of an inquiry into Gladys Berejiklian.
Senior Liberal Matt Kean on Wednesday wrote to the Inspector of the ICAC Gail Furness, asking her to use “all powers available” to her to probe whether the handling of Operation Keppel have brought the watchdog into disrepute.
The letter, obtained by The Daily Telegraph, dramatically escalates Mr Kean’s recent criticism of the ICAC.
He asked Ms Furness to review whether Operation Keppel has taken too long, caused “unnecessary, unfair and irreparable harm” to the people involved, and “whether there has been regard to the appropriateness of the exercise of ICAC’s strong powers and use of taxpayer money”.
“I urge you to use all powers available to you under Section 57C of the ICAC Act to investigate the ICAC operations and conduct in this matter and make any subsequent findings public as a matter of priority,” he said.
As Inspector of the ICAC, Ms Furness has broad powers to investigate the watchdog.
She can investigate the ICAC’s operations or its officers’ conduct, is entitled to full access to ICAC’s records, and haul ICAC officers in to answer questions. She can recommend disciplinary action or even criminal prosecution against officers of the ICAC.
Mr Kean’s letter came as the man who established the ICAC in 1988 joined criticism of the corruption watchdog.
Former Premier Nick Greiner told the Telegraph that the way the body now conducts its public inquiries “probably does more harm than good”.
He said it was “self evident” that the ICAC needs to deliver its reports sooner.
“It cannot take numbers of years to resolve what at the end of the day are relatively straightforward, simple matters,” he said.
“The outcome is certainly crazy that it takes years to (finalise reports), and in the meantime of course, people’s reputations are obviously damaged,” he said.
Mr Greiner was forced to resign after ICAC findings against him led to a threat of a no-confidence motion from Labor and the crossbench. Later, he successfully appealed the findings.
New rules which will force ICAC to publish “time targets” for when its reports are completed are now set to be legislated, after the government accepted recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry calling for more scrutiny.
Both Premier Minns and Liberal Leader Mark Speakman have indicated they will back legislation forcing ICAC to be more accountable with how quickly it delivers its findings.
Mr Minns yesterday told the Telegraph that the nature of ICAC’s public hearings means it needs to deliver findings “as quickly as possible”.
The ICAC has previously defended the time taken in finalising its report into Operation Keppel, citing the sheer complexity of the investigation, both factually and legally.
Contacted before she received the letter from Mr Kean on Wednesday about whether she was investigating the ICAC, Ms Furness declined to comment.
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