The appointment of an eminent jurist, former Federal Court judge Dennis Cowdroy, as the ACT's inaugural integrity commissioner marks the conclusion of a process that has been under way since the last territory elections in 2016.
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It was during that campaign all three major parties promised to establish an ACT Integrity Commission, bringing Canberra into line with the majority of other Australian jurisdictions.
Mr Cowdroy, a justice of the Federal Court of Australia from 2006 to 2014, a former additional judge on the ACT's Supreme Court, a former presidential member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and currently the head of the Australian Electoral Commission, comes with impressive credentials and experience.
It is little wonder that, despite being the government's second choice for what seems destined to be an historic role, he was appointed with tripartisan support from ALP, Greens and Liberal members of the Legislative Assembly.
The position was initially offered to Terence Higgins, another eminent jurist, who was set aside because of historic political affiliations with the Labor party. Mr Higgins had been the inaugural president of the ACT's ALP branch in the 1970s and represented Gough Whitlam at the time of the Khemlani loans affair.
A Queen's Counsel since 1989, Mr Cowdroy has also served as the Judge Advocate of the Australian Defence Force and served on the Defence Force Disciplinary Appeals Tribunal.
It is desirable, given the commission owes its existence to pledges made almost four years ago, that it should be running before Canberra next goes to the polls.
Characterised as a "modern man, who is well capable of stirring up controversy" at his valedictory from the Supreme Court in 2014, the new commissioner has strong links with Canberra.
A regular at the Commonwealth Club in Yarralumla during his frequent visits to the city in the past, he was an early advocate for the AWM's "tomb of the unknown soldier" which was dedicated in 1993.
It remains to be seen if Mr Cowdroy will bring what Mr A. Street, SC, once described as his "lingering light demeanour" to his latest role.
It has taken a long time for the promise of the integrity commission to be fulfilled, due, at least in part, to extended debate over its scope, its powers and the approach it should adopt.
It is highly desirable, given the commission owes its existence to election pledges made almost four years ago, that it should be up and running before Canberra next goes to the polls.
Mr Cowdroy and his staff will have to hit the ground running given ongoing concerns about openness and transparency within the ACT, particularly in relation to the operation of government agencies charged with the acquisition and sale of land for development and subdivision, in recent years.
The best way to address these concerns is for potentially questionable transactions to be subject to the scrutiny of an independent official.
It is in the interest of all concerned - ACT taxpayers, the ACT government, senior public servants and corporate players - to have such a body in place.
Mr Cowdroy has been given a complex and challenging brief which he appears to be well qualified for.
Canberrans will be watching his activities with great interest in the months and years to come.
