Media release
The Government is the only major supporter of its CIC bill,
Analysis of major stakeholder’s submissions to the draft CIC bill show that there is virtually unanimous opposition to the CIC’s jurisdiction and powers. The Centre for Public Integrity analysed 18 organisation’s submissions and found that:
- No organisation supports the CIC’s split into law enforcement and public sector divisions, or the high threshold to being investigations
- No organisation supports the CIC’s referral process and the inability for the public to make complaints
- 9 organisations support broadening the definition of corrupt conduct, 1 opposes
- 15 organisations support public hearings, 1 opposes
“The proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission will not be able to do its job. It will not be able to investigate most cases of corruption, and it will keep everything hidden from public view,” said the Hon Anthony Whealy QC, Chair of the Centre for Public Integrity.
“Stakeholders are united in calling for Government to broaden the jurisdiction and allow public exposure of investigations.”
“The Government is the only major supporter of its CIC bill. It cannot proceed in its current form,” said Mr Whealy.