Parlt passes ICAC Bill with 91-0 vote

By Isaac Nicholas in the Post Courier

PARLIAMENT has passed the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Bill with an overwhelming 91-0 votes.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, who introduced the Bill, said that was the first hurdle towards realising the establishment of an anti-corruption body.

He said the new organisation will not encroach into the Ombudsman Commission’s role to police the Leadership Code and Police, who will do their normal policing duties.

He said the government’s priority is to establish ICAC. He said this is not the only anti-corruption initiative of this Government.

He said the Government is also preparing whistle-blower and freedom of information legislations which will be brought to parliament as part of its fight against corruption.

"This is the first in many steps towards establishing a fully functioning ICAC," he said.

"The first step is to amend the Constitution to establish the commission."

Parlt passes anti-graft legislation

"THE next step is an Organic Law. The Organic Law will contain the full details of how the ICAC will operate." He told parliament.

"I am planning to bring the Organic Law to Parliament this year. However, the first thing to do is pass this Constitutional Amendment."

Mr O’Neill said the Bill has been developed through an extensive public consultation process covering the four regions of the country.

"From the consultation it was clear that people at all levels in the community overwhelmingly support the establishment of the ICAC.

"People want ICAC to be free of undue political influence and to undertake its work without fear or favour." "They want ICAC to be different from existing anti-corruption institutions. ICAC should be able to receive and initiate investigations on its own accord and prosecute the perpetrators."

He said the Bill establishes the ICAC and sets out clearly its purpose, functions, powers and accountability.

"The purpose of the ICAC is to contribute, in co-operation with other agencies, to preventing, reducing and combating corrupt conduct."

He said ICAC will be headed by a commissioner and two deputy commissioners who shall be appointed through an appointments committee.

Mr O’Neill said the composition of the appointments committee will be provided for in the new Organic Law.

"Most importantly, the proposed Bill provides that the ICAC is not subject to the direction and control of any person or authority," Mr O’Neill said.

He said ICAC will complement the work of the Ombudsman Commission and the Police and will not subsume their functions.

"The Ombudsman Commission will continue to administer the Leadership Code and ensure leaders remain accountable. The Police will continue to carry out their fraud and anti-corruption work supporting the ICAC in the public and private sectors," he said.