NT to adopt Integrity and Ethics Commission
After years of constraints and challenges, four integrity offices, including the ICAC, will be restructured in a bid to make them more efficient and win over public trust.
The NT Government will restructure its so-called ‘integrity offices’, including the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC), after a report found under-resourced staff were struggling under the weight of “pervasive” pressure.
Titled a ‘Review into the structural models for statutory integrity offices’, the 31-page report was delivered to the Finocchiaro Government this week.
The report, commissioned in July, conducted a detailed examination of the ICAC, Ombudsman and Information Commissioner, Health and Community Services Complaints Commission (HCSCC) and the NT Auditor-General’s Office (NTAGO), with all offices found to have serious internal challenges.
Bruce McClintock SC, and the Hon Graham Hiley AM RFD KC, authored the report.
“Resourcing and staffing pressures are pervasive,” the report found.
“The statutory offices report vacant positions and difficulties recruiting suitably qualified staff in this small jurisdiction and some report under-funding.”
The report also noted three of the four agencies were currently led by an acting office holder and that staff were being hit with budget constraints.
“These challenges are further compounded by fragmentation and duplication across agencies, further straining limited resources and creating inefficiencies,” the report said.
The problems plaguing each agency was also laid bare.
On the ICAC, the report commended Acting Commissioner Greg Shanahan for his efforts in trying to reassert the agency, but noted the office had taken a significant reputational hit.
“Unquestionably, the absence of permanent leadership in combination with certain other challenges has had a damaging effect on the public reputation and standing of the ICAC,” it said.
“For it to operate effectively, in whatever form is ultimately selected, that public standing must be re-established.”
The Ombudsman and Information Commissioner was found to be struggling with the “breadth of complexity” of its duties with a small team of four.
‘The Acting Ombudsman noted gaps in coverage and resourcing to properly address these matters,” the report said.
“Recruitment and staffing issues also persist.”
The report said HCSCC was struggling to carry out the “full extent of its statutory mandate” and its operational constraints were “significant”.
“This workload has imposed additional burdens on existing staff that may not be sustainable,” the report said.
“It is plain to us that the HCSCC is unable to carry out its statutory functions given its present establishment and funding levels and needs targeted resourcing, structural clarity, and legislative support.”
Finally, the NTAGO was found to also have budget constraints, with its use of accountants – external to the office – singled out as unsatisfactory.
“The Auditor-General indicated that he is interested in hiring additional staff for financial audits, to move towards a hybrid model that allows simpler audits to be brought in house.”
The report suggested a bold restructure, with a new Integrity and Ethics Commission to have oversight of the ICAC, Ombudsman and HCSCC.
The report also recommended a chief executive sit between the proposed Integrity Commissioner and each agency, which would retain their own assistant commissioner.
The NTAGO, meanwhile, would remain separate to the others.
On Thursday afternoon, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro told Parliament the government would “act in full alignment” with the recommendation.
She also informed the Parliament acting ICAC – Greg Shanahan – retired on August 31.
“I would like to thank you Mr Shanahan for stepping into that position to give certainty and continuity to the ICAC,” she said.
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Originally published as NT to adopt Integrity and Ethics Commission
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