State Budget 2023: NSW’s five key integrity agencies get $220m boost

Politicians and dodgy developers in the sights of the state’s corruption watchdog have been dealt a blow, with the ICAC to receive a share of a $220m ‘integrity package’ in the NSW Budget.

Politicians and dodgy developers in the sights of the state’s corruption watchdog have been dealt a blow, with the agency to receive a share of a more than $220m “integrity package” in the NSW Budget.

In a move designed to empower the state’s five key integrity agencies, the Minns government is reversing the cuts of the former Coalition government, with more than $50m to go to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) over the next decade.

It can be revealed the budget will also include $75m for the NSW Electoral Commission, $30m for the Ombudsman, and more than $21m for the Law Enforcement Conduct ­Commission.

The integrity package will also include changes to enhance the independence of each agency by moving them from the Department of Premier and the Cabinet Office’s financial management processes, and excluding them for any efficiency dividends.

The funding injection follows failed moves by the NSW Opposition this week to block ICAC from being granted special powers to access illegally recorded private conversations as part of its investigations.

Premier Chris Minns will announce a $220m ‘integrity package’ in the NSW Budget. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

ICAC is investigating claims senior Liberals were involved in branch stacking to help besieged Toplace developer Jean Nassif secure development applications.

Nassif, who is living in rural Lebanon, is separately wanted by police on fraud-related charges.

ICAC raided the homes of up to five past and present NSW Liberal Party members, including that of the Victorian-based brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet.

The raids are understood to have been triggered by allegations last year about support for future development applications for Nassif’s company.

Mr Perrottet’s brother was not named as one of the Liberals involved and is expected to strenuously deny any ­wrongdoing.

The Minns government has also referred one of its own — sacked Skills Minister Tim Crakanthorp — to ICAC amid claims he failed to appropriately disclose his family’s property interests.

Mr Crakanthorp has said it was an oversight that he himself had identified.

The government’s integrity package — which will also impact the NSW Audit Office — will include the establishment of a specialist integrity agency unit within NSW Treasury to bid for funds and give agencies the power to review Treasury’s advice to Cabinet on funding bids.

Agencies will also be able to report directly to Cabinet on the Treasury advice.

Special Minister of State John Graham said the new arrangements would safeguard the independence of the state’s five key integrity agencies and ensure they remain adequately resourced to maintain their key role in upholding our democracy.

Mr Graham said the funding would “alleviate previous resourcing pressures and allow them to continue their work investigating, exposing, and preventing corruption and maladministration.”

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