Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:02): (210) My question is to the Attorney-General. Attorney, the fixed term of the former IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich concluded in December last year. Victoria is now entering its eighth month with an acting Commissioner as the Andrews government has yet to make a permanent appointment to what is one of the most important integrity roles in the state. The government’s delay has been criticised by former Court of Appeal judge the Honourable Stephen Charles, who said:
It suggests to me that they’re not really interested in how well IBAC is working or the question of this government’s integrity.
Attorney, how much longer will Victorians have to wait until a permanent IBAC Commissioner is appointed?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:03): I thank Mr Davis for his question. Of course the IBAC Commissioner does play a critical role in the integrity system by leading IBAC to prevent and expose public sector corruption and respond to police misconduct. It is a really important role. I am pleased to advise that we have an acting Commissioner, who is the former Deputy Commissioner, in that role at the moment. It is an important role. It is a significant appointment. The recruitment process is underway. It is a process that is at arm’s length from me. Recommendations will be made to me, and then there is an additional process which involves the IOC. So I am not in a position to provide a definitive time line, apart from providing assurances to the chamber – and in direct answer to your question, Mr Davis – that that process is underway.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:04): I thank the minister for her response. I further ask: it has been reported that IBAC is currently working on investigations that affect the Andrews Labor government, including Operation Richmond concerning the relationship between the government and the United Firefighters Union. Given acting IBAC Commissioner Stephen Farrow is required to make decisions about such matters that directly affect the government’s political interests, how can the Attorney avoid any perception of a conflict of interest in the appointment of a permanent IBAC Commissioner should Mr Farrow be a candidate for that position?
Jaclyn Symes interjected.
David DAVIS: Would you like me to read it again?
The PRESIDENT: Yes, that would be good.
David DAVIS: I will read the substantive bit of it. Given acting IBAC Commissioner Stephen Farrow is required to make decisions about such matters as the above that directly affect the government’s political interests, how can the Attorney avoid any perception of a conflict of interest in the appointment of a permanent IBAC Commissioner should Mr Farrow be a candidate for that position? It is a very simple question.
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:05): Well, it is not simple to me. I cannot work out if you are reflecting on a public servant and their capacity to deliver the role.
David Davis: No, no. I am talking about the perception of a conflict.
Jaclyn SYMES: The perception of a conflict? There are well-established independent processes for appointments. That is at arm’s length from me, which is appropriate at this point in time, and we have the additional overlay of the requirement of me to consult with the IOC chair on the appointment. This is a process that is very specific. It is quite cumbersome, which is appropriate for an appointment of this type, so it is designed to ensure that we deal with perceptions –
David Davis interjected.
Jaclyn SYMES: I think that the appointment process stands for itself. Would you like additional steps to be put in place to delay this further?
David Davis: I am just asking how you will manage that.
Jaclyn SYMES: I think it is managed appropriately by the process that is underway.