The Accountability Round Table and one of its Directors, Robert Redlich KC, is calling for urgent reform to Victoria’s integrity legislation. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission needs the powers to ‘follow the money’ and investigate grey corruption wherever public money is being spent.
Robert Redlich KC, former IBAC Commissioner and director of the Accountability Round Table, said:
“The Victorian government itself has acknowledged that corruption has distorted infrastructure costs in the state — costs ultimately borne by every Victorian taxpayer. For years, the Accountability Roundtable has been calling for a stronger IBAC, this latest scandal underlines just how important and urgent that is.”
“IBAC needs the power to root out corruption and follow the money – wherever it leads and no matter who is implicated. Victorians deserve a watchdog with teeth”
Sophie Torney, Chair The Accountability Round Table, said:
“The CFMEU scandal shows what happens when our integrity watchdog lacks the power to investigate.We need a stronger IBAC.”
“IBAC is expected to hold powerful people to account but isn’t given the tools to do the job. If we want honest government, the watchdog must be able to act on the behaviour the public can see is wrong”
Media contact: Robert Redlich 0418 365 044, (Emma Garbutt 0437 771 493)
NOTES
Report 1: IOC Inquiry into the Adequacy of the IBAC Legislative Framework
Report 2: Operation Watts
The Accountability Round Table is an independent, non-partisan organisation committed to making governments and their agencies accountable to all Australians.