The ACT Liberals have bowed to public pressure for a corruption body, with leader Jeremy Hanson promising that if he wins government in October he will set up an Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Just four weeks ago, Mr Hanson ruled out supporting an ICAC, instead releasing an "integrity package", including an extra $3 million for the auditor-general and $900,000 more for an independent public service commissioner.
But on Monday, Mr Hanson said he had listened to community feedback.
"It is clear that the community want more. We have listened. There are large sections of the community that are frustrated and disappointed in the current government. They want to make sure that regardless of who's in power that there are very strong integrity processes," he said.
"Integrity in government is non-negotiable and it is a fundamental requirement. It is clear that many people in government have lost confidence in the current government. We want to restore confidence."
Mr Hanson said an ICAC would be funded in his first budget and send a message that "we mean what we say".
"It will give the confidence to the community that we have nothing to hide, we intend to stamp out corruption ... [and] to deter any corruption."
The about-face from the Liberals has left Chief Minister Andrew Barr now considering an ICAC also. Mr Barr was no longer ruling it out on Monday, saying a policy would be released before the election to "improve the standard of conduct, propriety and ethics in public authorities through adopting a strong education and prevention program and through a robust system that ensures misconduct will be appropriately investigated and dealt with".
At the beginning of August, Mr Hanson said "complicating the system with a new structure would be unnecessary". But on Monday he insisted his new support for an ICAC was well thought out, and "a deliberative action that follows extensive discussions". He was now convinced it was necessary.
As to the model, he would consult experts and look at corruption commissions in other states and territories – which all now have bodies in place, except the Northern Territory, where the incoming Labor government has promised to set one up.
The Canberra body would have perhaps eight to 10 staff, costing about $1.8 million a year, with more detailed costings before the election.
He did not commit to an investigative role for the body, NSW style, saying it was possible the director of public prosecutions or the police could have that responsibility.
"We don't want to have duplication and we don't want to have organisations tripping over each other," he said.
But it would be "robust" and "a proper operating ICAC". "That is what the community want and that is what the community will get," he said.
"I'm not going to be proscriptive about the model ... This will be a fully functioning commission against corruption, it will be independent."
The Greens also want a corruption body, but also have not detailed a precise model. Most if not all of the minor parties and independents are also calling for an ICAC.
The Greens are seeking to ban political donations from developers, following a similar move in NSW.
But Mr Hanson rejected the suggestion that he should refuse the donations because of the NSW ban. The donations went to the administrative wing of the party; he led the political wing, he said.
"Ultimately, the donations are taken by the party. They are all above board," he said. If Greens leader Shane Rattenbury wanted to ban developer donations, he should pay back a $50,000 donation the Greens accepted from the construction union, which was itself a developer in Canberra, Mr Hanson said.
