Napthine government to overhaul anti-corruption watchdog IBAC

THE Napthine government will overhaul Victoria’s anti-corruption framework after concerns about its failure to do the job.

THE Napthine government will overhaul its anti-corruption framework after a wave of concern about its failure to do the job.

Premier Denis Napthine today vowed to loosen the threshold test for the $170 million anti-corruption commission to begin inquiries.

The government will also back a uniform requirement for all public sector bodies to notify the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission if they suspect corruption.

This would include the state’s parliamentarians.

Dr Napthine also flagged draft legislation to expunge historical convictions for consensual homosexual acts, after the decriminalisation of gay sex in 1981.

The decision to hand more teeth to IBAC comes after years of criticism of the body’s legislative framework, which was set up to minimise any political fallout.

The biggest challenge to the IBAC’s reforms will be the fact there are only six sitting days to go before parliament rises for the November 29 election.

Dr Napthine said that IBAC would be empowered to undertake preliminary investigations before determining whether to dismiss, investigate or refer a complaint.

The reforms will introduce misconduct in public office as one of the common law offences that can constitute corrupt conduct.

The planned new laws also would require IBAC and the Ombudsman to provide information to a parliamentary committee to help investigate a possible breach of privilege or contempt of parliament arising from an IBAC or Ombudsman’s report.

Shadow attorney-general Martin Pakula said he had not been briefed on the IBAC legislation and accused the government of treating the parliament with contempt.

Mr Pakula questioned whether extra sitting days would be needed to ensure the legislation’s passage.