Independent candidate Sue Hickey calls for ICAC in Tasmania

Tasmania needs an effective and well-funded integrity body like NSW’s Independent Commission Against Corruption, Clark candidate Sue Hickey says.

Sue Hickey will run as an independent in the seat of Clark at the Tasmanian state election 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmania needs an effective and well-funded integrity body like NSW’s Independent Commission Against Corruption, independent candidate Sue Hickey says.

Ms Hickey says whichever party seeks to form government it must guarantee the immediate development of legislation to significantly upgrade the current Integrity Commission — or establish a new body with full judicial and investigative powers.

Labor has repeatedly asked the Liberals whether any of their members or candidates are being investigated by the Commission.

The Integrity Commission’s website lists investigations underway into the alleged failure to declare and manage a conflict of interest and the misuse of information and another into an alleged improper attempt to adversely affect the performance of a public officer’s powers by an elected representative.

A third, an alleged failure by an elected representative and senior manager to declare and manage conflicts of interest in procurement, has been accepted for investigation.

Ms Hickey said Tasmania demands an end to the secrecy that has been the hallmark of past government administrations.

Sue Hickey. Picture: Richard Jupe

“Tasmania can no longer endure the secrecy, dishonesty, exploitation, and corrupt practices that have been a blight on our democracy for some time and particularly over the past 10 years,” she said.

“The government has had scant regard for transparency, accountability and the truth and would rather hide information from the parliament and the people,” Ms Hickey said.

“Now we have rumours that up to three government members are being investigated by the Integrity Commission, but nobody will say who they are or what they are being investigated for.

“This week, the Liberals’ community grants’ promises have raised eyebrows as another vote-buying exercise that should be thoroughly investigated. Labor is making similar promises, even if its process doesn’t appear to be quite as crooked.

“It all has a smell of corruption and should be investigated by an ICAC-style body.”

Ms Hickey, the deputy mayor of Glenorchy, was a Liberal member for Clark between 2018 and 2021.