Statement by the Hon. Ann Vanstone QC, Independent Commissioner Against Corruption

All public officers have an obligation to report to the Office for Public Integrity any conduct which they reasonably suspect to be corruption or serious or systemic misconduct or maladministration in public administration.

I take this opportunity to remind all parliamentarians, parliamentary staffers and those working in electorate offices that this obligation extends to you.

Corruption is defined in the ICAC Act to be any criminal offence committed by a person in their capacity as a public officer. All conduct of this type must be reported.

Misconduct and maladministration would be serious or systemic if it were likely to undermine public confidence in, or have significant implications for, the relevant public authority or for public administration in general. Any conduct that reaches this threshold must be reported.

It is disappointing to learn of the possible existence of serious allegations of misconduct in public administration from the media. It might be that the conduct is not considered to have met the threshold that requires a report to be made, or it might be that the reporting obligation is not well understood. The only other explanation is that the obligation to report is being ignored.

Parliamentarians and senior members of government agencies should be aware of their obligation to report this conduct to the Office for Public Integrity. If they are not, they should contact my office to arrange an information session. They must also ensure that all of their staff are aware of the obligation to report and feel empowered to do so.

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For media enquiries please contact 0428 389 493 or media@icac.sa.gov.au.
The publication of this information has been authorised by the Commissioner under section 56 of the ICAC Act.

Related Downloads:
ICAC Public Statement - 4 June 2021