Victoria plans to broaden corruption definition and boost anti-corruption powers before election
The Victorian government will introduce legislation to widen the definition of corruption and give the anti-corruption commission new investigative powers before the state enters caretaker mode.
Ahead of the upcoming Victorian election, Premier Daniel Andrews pledged to table legislation that broadens the legal definition of corruption and extends Ibac’s jurisdiction to include non-criminal misconduct and public-money spending by contractors. The package also creates a special prosecutor role to operate in parallel with a royal commission into the construction industry, whose terms of reference are expected shortly.
Special Minister of State Ingrid Stitt said the government aims to embed these powers in the current parliamentary term. Former Ibac commissioner Robert Redlich, now chair of the Accountability Round Table, argued the reforms would close gaps that previously prevented investigations into "grey" corruption and could have altered the outcome of the Operation Richmond report. Catherine Williams of the Centre for Public Integrity welcomed the initiative but warned that additional resources will be needed for Ibac to fulfill its expanded mandate.
Why it matters
The reforms could allow investigators to probe a wider range of misconduct in Victoria’s government and major infrastructure projects.
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