A powerful parliamentary committee in Victoria has called for a sweeping overhaul of the state's anti-corruption body, proposing 31 key reforms to strengthen its powers and effectiveness.
Broadening the Scope of Corrupt Conduct
The Integrity and Oversight Committee's final report, spanning 149 pages, recommends significantly broadening the legal definition of 'corrupt conduct'. This change would empower the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) to investigate breaches of public trust, serious disciplinary offences, and misconduct worthy of termination.
The committee argued this would align Victoria with other jurisdictions like the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the federal National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). It cited the high-profile NSW ICAC investigation into former premier Gladys Berejiklian and her ex-partner Daryl Maguire as the type of case the current Victorian definition might preclude.
Strengthening Police Oversight and Accountability
A major focus of the recommendations is on enhancing the oversight of Victoria Police. The committee wants the law changed to legally require police to implement IBAC's recommendations, or publicly justify why they are not doing so. Progress reports would be mandated within six months.
Furthermore, the report calls for IBAC to establish a dedicated police corruption and misconduct division to boost public confidence and investigative capacity. It also recommends that, barring exceptional circumstances, IBAC itself should investigate complaints about serious police misconduct, rather than referring them back to the force.
The committee noted that Victoria Police declined to provide a full written submission for the inquiry, offering only four short responses. When asked if the current system—where IBAC investigates less than 1% of police complaints—was effective, police stated it was a question for IBAC and the government.
Key Recommendations and Next Steps
Among the 31 recommendations are several other significant proposals. These include granting IBAC stronger 'follow-the-dollar' financial investigation powers, improving information security, and establishing a dedicated Aboriginal engagement unit.
The committee also advised changing freedom of information laws to prevent Victoria Police from claiming exemption for documents gathered during IBAC-referred investigations. Additionally, it recommended IBAC be required to provide reasons to complainants when their case is referred to police.
The Victorian government is now considering the report, having already been consulting on a separate police oversight model. The proposed reforms aim to restore and strengthen public trust in the state's integrity systems by bringing them into line with national standards.
