Victoria moves to expand definition of ‘corruption’ before state election
Summary
Victoria’s premier, Ben Carroll, plans to change the legal definition of “corruption” before the upcoming state election. These changes will give the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) more power to investigate government wrongdoing, including new powers to track how public money is spent.Key Facts
- The Victorian government will expand Ibac’s powers and change the corruption definition before November’s state election.
- The new definition will allow Ibac to investigate a wider range of misconduct, not just crimes.
- A royal commission into Victorian construction is expected to have its terms of reference released soon.
- The government will create a special prosecutor role to work alongside the royal commission.
- The current corruption law limits Ibac to look only at criminal offenses, missing some questionable behavior.
- A parliamentary inquiry recommended broadening corruption definitions to include misconduct and breaches of public trust.
- Former Ibac commissioner Robert Redlich supports the changes, saying they will close gaps where corruption is not currently punishable.
- The changes will allow Ibac to follow the money spent by government contractors and subcontractors.
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