The Carroll Labor Government is strengthening the powers of Victoria’s public sector integrity agencies.
New laws passed the Victorian Parliament last month so corruption can no longer slip through the cracks.
Now, a $139.5 million investment by Labor will support agencies to deliver this important reform.
The additional funding will support the work of:
- the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC)
- Victorian Ombudsman
- Integrity Oversight Victoria.
This funding means they can begin their work under the new laws immediately.
The threshold of conduct that IBAC can investigate has been lowered under the new laws.
The definition of corrupt conduct now extends to serious disciplinary matters, including serious misconduct and conduct worthy of termination.
This includes a specific provision for elected officials – Ministers, MPs and local councillors.
Labor’s new laws also give IBAC the follow-the-money investigatory powers it needs to trace public funds.
This means IBAC can investigate the conduct of private and third-party subcontractors on Government projects.
Victorians rightly expect public money to be spent properly.
The new laws also capture additional integrity reforms.
They include lowering the threshold for convening public hearings by removing the exceptional circumstances provision.
There will also be a legislated process for the recruitment of IBAC Commissioners.
IBAC’s budget requests and the Ministerial Code of Conduct will now also be published online.
Quotes attributable to Special Minister of State Ingrid Stitt
"We’ve strengthened IBAC’s powers – now we’re providing an immediate uplift in their resources to stamp out corruption.”
“Victorians rightly expect public money to be spent properly – we’re making sure this happens.”