IBAC boss ‘disturbed’ by political landscape at state, federal level

Daniel Andrews has said it’s important that the state’s anti-corruption agency has “the highest standards” after the head of IBAC called for more freedom to probe misconduct.

Daniel Andrews says he is open to the IBAC commissioner getting more powers after the head of the anti corruption agency called for more authority to properly do his job.

Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commissioner Robert Redlich on Wednesday raised concerns about a political “centralisation of power” and called for more powers to carry out his role.

“The Attorney (General) is in constant discussion with all our integrity agencies .... we are always open to these things, it is not a static thing.”

“It is constantly changing and evolving thing, and that is really important to make sure we have the highest standards.”

“(The Attorney-General) is open to giving them what they need and giving them what they want.”

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich. Picture: AAP

Mr Redlich has become increasingly vocal ahead of his term finishing up later this year.

Last week he raised concerns about “onerous” laws that constrained IBAC’s work while calling for more hearings to be made public.

He has also hit out at a parliamentary committee for gagging him during a probe into witness management by the state’s anti-corruption agencies.

On Tuesday, speaking on the ABC, Mr Redlich said he needed broader powers to properly investigate claims of corruption and wrongdoing across the public sector and police.

Mr Redlich said there was a “long list” of additional powers needed by the commission, but an obvious one would be the power to search persons of interest.

He said under laws at present investigators had no power to seize mobile phones being carried by a person of interest.

“We then have to issue a summons for a direct attendance to IBAC where they will bring the phone, by the time the phone comes of course it’s been back to factory reset.

“And then the chap laughs at us and says I know you have no power to charge me with an offence of concealing or destroying evidence.

“So there’s another power that we really need. So there are all sorts of areas where our position could be improved.”

Mr Redlich said the problem could be fixed with the stroke of a pen.

He also said he was concerned about the increasing “centralisation of power” across governments.

“I am disturbed by the political landscape at all levels, at the federal level and the state level,” he said.

“And hopefully over the next six months, we will be able to publish a number of reports that address the issues of the way in which government is able to work.

“In particular to focus upon the issue of centralisation of power, the increased sphere of influence of ministerial advisers, and the diminution in the role of government departments.

“And that’s a problem that exists not merely at that level, but at a federal level.”

Opposition leader Matthew Guy has pledged to boost funding and increase the powers of both IBAC and the Ombudsman if elected in November.

IBAC and the Ombudsman have been critical of their funding under the current state government and have stated they are under pressure to fund their vital work.

Mr Redlich said the commission was able to investigate just two per cent of matters referred to it.