New ICAC legislation welcome but reform still needed

MEDIA RELEASE - September 8, 2015
Five months after a High Court ruling jeopardised a number of high-profile corruption findings, the NSW Premier has introduced on Tuesday new legislation to confirm the powers of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

“It is clear that the ICAC retains strong public support in NSW and this legislation to define and restore ICAC’s powers could not be further delayed,” said Greens NSW anti-corruption spokesperson, Jamie Parker MP.

“I congratulate the Premier for bringing forward the bill which reflects the recommendations from the expert panel. The ICAC can now continue to shine a light into the dark corners of corrupt conduct in this State, as well as proceeding with its findings from the Spicer and Credo investigations.

“However I have previously called for the new legislation to include a provision within the definition of corrupt conduct for fraud in relation to planning and development matters.

“In light of the tainted history of planning and development decisions in NSW, it is necessary to restore community confidence in the integrity of the planning system at both the state and local levels.

“The community remains disgusted with the alleged rorting of political donations that was exposed in the ICAC hearings over twelve months ago. There is a political ecosystem in NSW where politicians and vested interests are highly interdependent, and often planning decisions are compromised in the process,” said Mr Parker.

Read Jamie's anti-corruption work here

The text of the bill is here

END
For further comment from Jamie Parker: 0413581603 (Lesa de Leau)

Do you like this post?

Be the first to comment

Sign in with

Follow Jamie

Donate

FERRIES AT ANNANDALE AND WEST BALMAIN

Imagine hopping on a ferry at Annandale or West Balmain and being in the heart of the city within minutes.

In 2020, we won the campaign for a Glebe ferry. Now, we have the opportunity to connect more of our area to the ferry network. New ferries at Annandale and West Balmain will provide a faster, smarter route into the city without adding to the traffic on our roads.

Both Labor and the Liberals want to build more polluting and destructive tollways across Sydney. But we have costed a comprehensive plan for a world-class public transport system that makes getting around our city fast and easy.

Dear Transport Minister,

New inner west ferry services would provide efficient, fast and environmentally sound travel to and from the area for workers, tourists, students, pensioners and the general public.

I therefore ask that the Government build on the success of the Blackwattle Bay ferry and establish a ferry service at Rozelle Bay for the Annandale area and reinstate the ferry at West Balmain.

6,058 SIGNATURES

6,000