The South Australian Parliament just passed a new Bill to severely weaken the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Led by SA-Best MLC Frank Pangallo, the Parliament waved through the legislation in no time, passing both the upper and lower houses inside a week.
Not one MP voted against the Bill.
Disturbingly little time was spent on analysis or discussion, although some ALP amendments were debated and passed in the lower house.
Current ICAC Commissioner Ann Vanstone spoke publicly about the changes in the leadup to the vote, saying that the new law restricts her powers of investigation so severely that it renders her position almost redundant.
An ABC report states, "She pointed out the changes in the bill went beyond the recommendations of the parliamentary committee, and she raised red flags about provisions that seemed designed to protect politicians."
The bill takes away Ms Vanstone's ability to investigate maladministration and misconduct, passing those responsibilities to the state ombudsman.
"But even Ombudsman Wayne Lines, while happy to take on those roles, has flagged concerns with the bill."
Former ICAC commissioner, Bruce Lander, also spoke out about the Bill.
"I'm as horrified as she is by what the Parliament has done by passing this act," he told ABC Radio Adelaide.
"It's also designed to protect corrupt police officers — and it has that effect.
"It will also incidentally, because of the major changes that have been made, protect senior public officers who also are corrupt."
Were these concerns, expressed by independent, directly affected, current or serving, public servants, taken seriously?
Witness the statement from Liberal Premier, Steven Marshall.
He said the changes to ICAC were the result of "extensive consultation from a parliamentary committee and the recommendations stemming from it".
So a parliamentary committee, run by politicians, looked at ICAC (which is currently investigating a sitting politician) and decided that they wanted to reduce its powers.
On what planet is that not a conflict of interest?
Is it right that our parliamentarians have oversight of the same people who investigate their corruption and bring them to justice?
We say no. Definitely not.
Of course the previous ICAC had issues, as does every public institution in South Australia. All of them have flaws, which should be ironed out using appropriate appeal and independent oversight bodies to ensure they too are held accountable.
But you don't fix an anti-corruption body by diminishing it.
You don't stamp out maladministration by redefining it.
And you don't keep MPs accountable by letting them weaken ICAC.
The Democratic Labour Party South Australia stands for truth, justice and the rule of law in public life. We stand for restoring a truly independent, strong ICAC.
If you normally vote for the Liberals, ALP, Greens or SA-Best, it's time to have a re-think. It's time to stop rewarding self-serving politicians and join a grassroots movement that will hold them accountable and restore ICAC as a powerful, independent anti-corruption body.
