Govt moves towards open ICAC hearings
The State Government has announced it will introduce legislation in parliament to allow for open ICAC hearings, fulfilling an election promise from the Liberals.
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily
Premier Steven Marshall said he expected the parliament to pass the legislation, which gives discretion to the ICAC commissioner to hold public hearings into maladministration.
“We believe in the ICAC and we believe in implementing the recommendation from the ICAC commission Bruce Lander to allow for open ICAC hearings and that’s what we’ll be doing when parliament resumes,” he said.
The Premier described the Liberal Party’s decision to open ICAC hearings as a “massive challenge” for newly announced Labor leader Peter Malinauskas.
“The parliament and the Labor party twice voted against open ICAC hearings – this is the big test [because] we need Peter Malinauskas and the Labor party on side so that we can deliver on our agenda to allow open ICAC hearings here in South Australia,” he said.
“It’s time for Peter Malinauskas to stand up.”
Marshall said as part of the move, the government would also hand over some cabinet documents to ICAC investigations – a point of contention in the Oakden investigation.
“There are some documents of course that should always remain confidential, [Lander] accepts that, and we’re now discussing those matters with him,” Marshall said.
more to come