2020 NSWCCL AGM

Item 9.2 Policy on ICAC

 NSWCCL strongly affirms the crucial role of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in NSW. As Richard Ackland writes, the episode currently playing out with respect to Daryl Maguire, and incidentally, Gladys Berejiklian, is “a timely reminder of the disinfecting sunlight that ICAC is capable of shining”.[1] To quote our President, “while the present proceedings may not encourage federal parliamentarians to move forward more speedily with a federal ICAC, they are certainly encouraging the electors to push for one.”[2]

NSWCCL deplores the recent cuts to ICAC’s funding, which Chief Commissioner Peter Hall QC warned in 2019, “have an immediate and serious effect on the commission’s frontline services, and therefore its ability to fight corruption.”[3] ICAC should be funded independently of the usual funding process for government agencies; it is not like any other government agency. Such changes would help temper the influence which the Executive can potentially wield to hinder the fight against corruption in NSW.

Resolution

That the proposed policy on ICAC be adopted.

Moved at the NSWCCL AGM October 21st 2020 by: Jared Wilk

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/13/nsw-would-be-a-more-unsavoury-place-without-icac-we-need-a-real-federal-anti-corruption-body

[2] https://www.smh.com.au/national/stand-aside-premier-while-this-cloud-hangs-over-you-20201015-p565dj.html

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/21/icac-head-says-funding-cuts-will-have-immediate-and-serious-effect