Crossbench push to restore ICAC’s powers

On Wednesday, I introduced a bill that seeks to rectify the significant damage caused by the 2021 amendments to the ICAC Act. These changes weakened our anti-corruption framework, eroded public trust, and undermined the Commission’s ability to hold public officials to account.

Key provisions of the bill include:

 Reinstating critical offences under the definition of corruption, including theft of public property and deception by public officers.

 Restoring the ICAC’s power to investigate incidental offences connected to corrupt activities.

 Re-establishing the ICAC’s authority to refer cases directly to the Director of Public Prosecutions (‘DPP’), removing the current requirement for SAPOL to act as an intermediary.

 Enhancing transparency by reinstating the ICAC’s ability to communicate openly with the public about its operations where appropriate.

 Removing the provision that allows some public officers, including Members of Parliament, to have their legal expenses reimbursed from public funds unless they are convicted of an indictable offence that constitutes corruption in public administration.

Let's have this debate!

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