Thursday, 9 March 2023

Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission

Adem SOMYUREK (Northern Metropolitan) (09:43): I rise to condemn former IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich for bringing IBAC into disrepute by engaging in serial leaking of confidential information exchanged for favourable media coverage to feed his insatiable ego. The conclusion of Redlich’s self-indulgent reign of error literally leaves behind a trail of death and destruction to fulfil his narcissistic needs. Over the last five years Redlich has done very little work but has shamelessly courted media attention and lectured on integrity as he has simultaneously siphoned off a lazy $5 million from the taxpayer in unjustified wages.

Redlich’s obsession with the media has had disastrous consequences. One of Redlich’s many leaks during Operation Watts was the leaking of the draft report, the effect of which has denied people natural justice. It is no surprise that we are now facing a farcical situation where Redlich wrote a letter to the Presiding Officers and then, true to form in his rat-cunning way, sneakily leaked the letter to the media. Corruption is about the misuse of entrusted power for private gain. Redlich’s serial leaking of confidential information in exchange for favourable media coverage is the textbook definition of ‘corruption’.