ICAC brings in more investigators to deal with influx of reports

THE Northern Territory’s anti-corruption watchdog has received hundreds of reports of improper conduct over the year. CLICK to find out what kinds of things were reported

• ICAC report finds former Health Department site and security manager engaged in corrupt conduct
• Former Speaker Kezia Purick in legal bid to quash ICAC report, bar referral of possible charges to the DPP

THE Northern Territory’s anti-corruption watchdog has received almost 400 reports of improper conduct over the year to June, mostly involving allegations of abuse of power, breach of trust or incompetence.

The Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) Ken Fleming said his office had to recruit more investigative staff to handle their growing workloads.

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The investigations team will grow from seven to 11 employees by the end of November, in addition to external investigators on contract.

“Our investigations are growing in number, and the demonstrated complexity, sensitivity and seriousness of these matters require significant time and resources to prove or disprove allegations of improper conduct,” Mr Fleming said in ICAC’s annual report. “In 2019-20, my office received 385 reports containing allegations of improper conduct of which 148 were mandatory reports.

Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Ken Fleming. Picture: Keri Megelus

“The value of these reports are significant in shining a light on the often hidden and deceptive nature of corruption.”

The ICAC started 56 investigations that met the serious, systemic, sensitive and contemporary threshold in the last financial year.

It also issued 94 nondisclosure notices, coercively examined 15 witnesses and executed one search warrant.

The majority of the allegations received involved an abuse of power, breach of trust or incompetence (22 per cent) followed by misuse of resources (18 per cent) and recruitment and employment dishonesty (11 per cent).

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The anti-corruption watchdog has published two investigation reports so far, including a probe into the former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Kezia Purick that found she committed serious breaches of public trust.

Mr Fleming said they were working with the government to ensure recommendations outlined in his report into the Speaker’s office were being applied, including conduct training for MLAs.