Record funding for the ICAC

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will receive record funding of more than $106 million to enhance its work as the State’s corruption watchdog, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced today.

The ICAC will receive $27 million from the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government in 2018-19, part of more than $106 million of expense funding for ICAC over the next four years. This compares to funding of around $19.8 million in Labor’s 2010-11 Budget.

“This record funding of more than $106 million underlines our commitment to a strong and fair ICAC,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Under the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government, the ICAC will always be fully empowered and funded to investigate, expose and prevent corruption.”

“This funding builds on recent reforms to modernise and strengthen the ICAC.”

In November 2016, the Parliament passed legislation implementing unanimous, bipartisan recommendations of the Parliamentary

Committee on the ICAC, strengthening the watchdog’s structure and governance, decision-making and oversight.

The reconstituted ICAC commenced operations in August 2017, with the Hon Peter Hall QC appointed as the inaugural Chief

Commissioner of the ICAC, and Patricia McDonald SC and Stephen Rushton SC appointed as Commissioners. These appointments followed the appointment of Mr Bruce McClintock SC as Inspector of the ICAC on 1 July 2017.

Under the 2016 legislative reforms:

• The ICAC was restructured as a three-member Commission;
• The ICAC’s power to conduct public inquiries must be authorised by the Chief Commissioner and at least one other Commissioner;
• Before making an adverse finding in a report, the ICAC and ICAC Inspector must give affected persons a reasonable opportunity to respond and include a summary of this response in the report where requested; and
• The ICAC will be able to gather evidence that may be admissible in a criminal prosecution after the completion of its investigations where requested.