Dom Perrottet Is Already Keen To Iron Out The “Weaknesses” In ICAC
It comes after Scott Morrison called the anti-corruption agency "a real problem".
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has asserted that he’s already keen to iron out the “weaknesses” in the state’s corruption watchdog — ICAC — less than one week after its investigations resulted in him landing the top job.
Earlier this month, former Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced she would be resigning from her role as a result of an ICAC investigation into her relationship with former Member for Wagga Wagga Darryl Maguire. There is no assertion that she is guilty of corruption, Junkee is merely stating that she was named in the investigation.
But while many people, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, have been quick to slam ICAC for being “a real problem” amid the ongoing coronavirus situation in New South Wales, it is important to note that the watchdog did exactly what it was established to do: investigate corruption.
When asked by The Australian what he thought of ICAC’s supposed record of “ruining the lives of public figures who later turn out to be innocent”, Perrottet said he’s open to reform. “[I’m] happy to look at any aspect of state policy that needs improvement and all parts of the NSW government need to be looked at from time to time,” he told The Australian.
“We shouldn’t be concerned about pursuing that because if we end up in a situation that strengthens governance, that strengthens integrity oversight, that’s a positive thing, and if there are weaknesses that need to be ironed out or improved well that is something we should look at,” he said.
But we mustn’t forget that ICAC did not force Gladys Berejiklian to resign, that decision wasn’t a “weakness” in the ICAC system. Berejiklian was the subject of a corruption inquiry, and although she has continually maintained her innocence on the matter, she ultimately decided it was in hers — and the state’s — best interest to resign while the investigation continues.
ICAC did exactly what it was established to do. It investigated a potential instance of corruption in the New South Wales Government. And by the looks of the reactions we’ve seen at a state and federal level, our politicians are threatened by this.