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Inquiry Details

Examination of the 2003-2004 annual report of the Independent Commission against Corruption, incorporating a General Meeting with the Commissioner

The ICAC Committee noted that the Independent Commission Against Corruption tabled its 2003-2004 annual report on 28 October 2004. The annual report for the financial year 2003-04 shows a 53% increase in the number of core complaints received by the Commission over the past two years. In 2003-04, the Commission received a total of 2,886 complaints, and of those 1,884 were core complaints - allegations of corrupt conduct lodged as protected disclosures or under sections 10 and 11 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988. This represents a rise of 23% over 2002-03 when the Commission received 1,524 core complaints, and an increase of 53% compared with 2001-02 when 1,231 core complaints were received. Commissioner Irene Moss AO said the increase did not necessarily mean there had been a corresponding rise in corruption, but that it was an expression of public awareness and confidence in the work of the Commission. The rise was also a likely consequence of the attention generated by public hearings and investigation reports throughout the year. During 2003-04, 33 days of public hearings were held as part of investigations into safety certification in the building industry, the Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council, former Member of Parliament Richard Face, and the introduction of contraband into prisons. Private hearings were also held on 35 days into 15 matters. A total of 10 investigation reports were presented to Parliament including reports into the conduct of Malcolm Jones MLC, the NSW Grains Board, the thefts at the Australian Museum and into Menangle Bridge. These investigation reports included recommendations that the Director of Public Prosecutions consider prosecuting 18 people for criminal offences. These reports also included 92 corruption prevention recommendations to various public authorities to help prevent the re-occurrence of corrupt conduct. The Commission’s corruption prevention division provided advice on a total of 491 matters, including responses to 322 telephone and email requests and 53 written requests for advice. As part of its corruption prevention work, the Commission expanded its anti-corruption awareness campaign for people of non-English speaking background and continued its Regional and Rural Outreach Strategy, with special visits to New England and Mudgee. Recognising the emerging risk of corruption linked to identity fraud, the Commission conducted a detailed survey of public sector agencies on the issue. The survey found that agencies differed markedly in their practices relating to the issuing of their identity documentation. The research will be used to produce a resource to help the public sector manage the risk posed by identity fraud. During 2003-04 the Commission conducted 48 investigations and carried out a total of 141 preliminary investigations. Under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 s.64(1)(c), the ICAC Committee is required to examine each annual report or other report of the Commission and report on any matter appearing in or arising from any such report.

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