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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-12-02 Daily Xml
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INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (15:27): My contribution today relates to the fact that tomorrow is the anniversary of the introduction of the ICAC bill by the former shadow attorney in which she called upon the parliament to provide support for a bill to establish a state ICAC—

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: Point of order. I was under the impression that either a bill or a motion was on the Notice Paper about this very matter. Therefore, the member for Bragg's contribution to the grievance anticipates debate on an order of the day.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I note the point of order, and simply point out that it is in order as long as the member does not canvass the bill itself. The member for Bragg.

Ms CHAPMAN: The government has consistently, to date, refused to introduce a bill to establish a state independent commission against corruption or, indeed, an independent commission against crime and corruption. There has been some history in the parliament through members in the other place and here in this house for the establishment of an independent commission against corruption, but this government, in particular the Premier and the Attorney-General, continue to claim in media outlets that we do not need one because our existing measures are adequate.

They cite the need for the Auditor-General, the Ombudsman, the Anti-Corruption Branch and the Government Investigations Unit, but I just wish to point out to the house that the Auditor-General, of course, plays a very important role—he reports to this parliament annually and can provide supplementary reports, as he did today—and what is important here is that, of course, that can only be useful if the Auditor-General knows what is going on.

We have had examples just in the last few months where the Auditor-General has not been kept informed of matters. One which springs to mind is the government's loss of the USB file containing the biggest single infrastructure project ever in the history of the state, according to the Premier. Yet, on the information about this, there was no provision of that information during the relevant time period and only in a footnote in this year's period is there any recognition of that.

When ministers are asked whether they or members of their department have referred any of these matters, including the Attorney-General, the Minister for Health and the Treasurer, on that instance, none of them could confirm to the house any reference of that issue. The Ombudsman admits in his own annual report that he does not have the power to deal with matters of corruption. I would urge the government to again review the Ombudsman's annual reports, particularly this year's.

The Anti-Corruption Branch of South Australia Police is an important unit which deals with criminal matters of this nature. However, clearly, it is confined to an investigation unit for the consideration of criminal prosecution and that raises questions of standard of that inquiry and the extent of it.

The Government Investigations Unit, which is a component of the Crown Solicitor's Office, is not an office that could be described as independent. In fact, quite clearly it is an office that has the charter legislatively to provide advice to government and has a relationship with government, an obligation and responsibility to it to provide those services.

There is a question raised about whether we just have Caesar reviewing Caesar, and if ever there was an example of how inadequate that process is, one has only to look at the Randall Ashbourne affair, which has been documented in this house and I will not repeat it. An independent commission against corruption will be independent. There are clearly precedents in other states for that to be done.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order: now the member for Bragg is canvassing the merits of the bill.

Ms CHAPMAN: No I'm not.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: Yes you are.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The member will not canvass or anticipate debate on the bill. The member's time has expired. The member for Taylor.

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