A bureaucrat who helped establish South Australia’s Office for Public Integrity has been appointed the new acting director of the now standalone agency following the passing of contentious laws, while a former Supreme Court Justice will temporarily replace Ann Vanstone following her resignation as Judicial Conduct Commissioner.
When new ICAC laws come into force in South Australia tomorrow, most members of parliament will be pushed beyond the reach of any misconduct investigations by the anti-corruption body, but also the Ombudsman.
The South Australian magistrate accused by five women of misconduct has appointed a senior counsel to defend him in front of a conduct panel, former Judicial Conduct Commissioner Ann Vanstone has said, while revealing the panel’s inquiry has been “contentious”.
The state anti-corruption body’s own history prompted parliament’s move on it, argues Kym Davey.