Time to fall into line Mr Rann

Posted on July 31, 2009

Advocates for an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in South Australia continue to grow with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd now joining the ranks.

Mr Rudd told reporters this week the Queensland Government’s Crime and Misconduct Commission was responsible for uncovering the recent problems of corruption in that State’s police force.

Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond, a long-time campaigner for an ICAC said if Kevin Rudd saw the importance of an ICAC in stamping out corruption in public administration, why couldn’t Premier Mike Rann?

“The list of people who support the establishment on an ICAC keeps growing – it is time the Rann Government joined that list,” Ms Redmond said.

“Premier Rann’s Labor colleague Kevin Rudd acknowledges the importance of independent bodies investigating corruption as does former NSW Labor Premier Morris Iemma.

“When opening Australia’s first Anti-corruption Conference Mr Iemma said, ‘any jurisdiction that thinks they don’t need one (ICAC) is crazy’.

“Sunlight is the best disinfectant so establish an ICAC and let the sunlight’s rays in.

“The Rann Government has continually refused to support the Liberal Party’s calls to establish an ICAC.

“South Australians deserve to have confidence in a transparent, corruption-free public sector.”

The Liberals announced a policy to establish an ICAC at a cost of $15.6 million based on the New South Wales body in April 2008. Ms Redmond introduced a Private Members Bill to establish an ICAC earlier this year.

Ms Redmond said the Liberals will establish an ICAC on gaining government in March 2010.