State Labor’s commitment to fighting corruption is under question, following the release of last week’s State budget.
Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has highlighted, through a Question on Notice in Parliament to the Premier, that the recent budget allocation of $18.8 million to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for 2009/2010 is a decrease, in real terms, over the past year.
Mr O’Dea, who is a Member of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee for the ICAC, said the ICAC plays a vital role in guarding against corruption in a wide range of state instrumentalities – but it must have the necessary funds to do its job effectively.
“Corrupt practices that are continually exposed in public organisations like RailCorp, highlight the need for the state watchdog to be adequately funded,” Mr O’Dea said.
“It is clear the Transport Minister, who is now directly responsible for RailCorp, is not doing enough to stamp out corrupt practices. An independent body, such as the ICAC, must be encouraged in its ant-corruption investigations, through an increase in real funding levels.
“If the Premier is serious about ensuring corruption is exposed and eradicated, then why is he reducing the inflation adjusted ICAC funding for next financial year?
“This is particularly disturbing given that current published ICAC Result Indicators show increasing trends in public reporting of corruption and in the number of actions arising from ICAC investigations.
“The ICAC continues to expose systemic corruption in Government administration and must not be limited by inadequate finances,” Mr O’Dea said.
“I call on the Government to ensure more funding is made available during the next financial year for the ICAC to properly and effectively carry out its vital role as the state watchdog against corrupt practices,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
