By ISAAC NICHOLAS in the Post Courier

The Independent Commission Against Corruption Bill will be introduced during the November session of Parliament and the anti-graft body should be set up as early as March next year, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said yesterday.

Speaking on FM100 Talkback, the Prime Minister said the first reading will come in on the November 13 sitting and the second and final reading in February next year.

“It has been slow because bureaucrats have to put it tightly together. The last thing we want is for some smart lawyers to go to court to challenge the validity of the Bill. It is important that we have an independent body to do the job.”

Mr O’Neill said that the Bill will further strengthen the government’s effort in ridding the country of corruption. He said the Taskforce Sweep team was doing a fantastic job and will merge into the new independent body when it is established around March next year.

“People must give credit where it is due,” he said.

He also refuted calls for him to relinquish the acting Police Minister’s portfolio, which he currently holds, claiming that as Prime Minister he does not give instructions to the Police Commissioner or any other heads of departments.

He said the police and the Sweep Team have done their job unhindered and the law applies to everyone.

“Whether you are a Prime Minister or a tea boy, all are subject to the same law,” he said. He said the November session of Parliament is also important as the 2014 budget will be handed down. He said the current crop of leaders are very stable and mature leaders who are not interested in playing political games.

“This will be a very important budget put together under very difficult circumstances including the falling prices of commodities on the world market. It is going to be difficult but not impossible.”

He said over the last 40 years, political instability has contributed to the deterioration of institutions and services.

“We now have to stabilise that. And of course other forces cause instability and they are motivated by individual interest,” Mr O’Neill said.