Attorney General Natasha Fyles this week released draft legislation to create an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Ms Fyles said Territorians want and deserve a government they can trust.

“Draft legislation has been developed to establish an ICAC that will prevent corruption, improve public confidence that corruption will be dealt with appropriately, encourage the reporting of corruption and protect whistleblowers,” Ms Fyles said. 

“Under the draft legislation the ICAC will be able to investigate anyone involved in the NT Government, NT public service, or spending of the NT’s public money. 

“This includes politicians, public servants, police, local councils and the contract service providers of public sector organisations.”

Ms Fyles said organisations that receive government grants may also be investigated.

Under the proposal, ICAC would be able to investigate retrospectively and have broad ranging powers to:

-       obtain information from public bodies

-       apply for warrants and search premises

-       install surveillance devices

-       intercept telecommunications activities

-       conduct covert operations

The government is seeking public feedback on the draft legislation and will hold a public information session in Katherine on July 3. 

An inquiry into the establishment of an independent anti-corruption body in the Northern Territory was led by Hon Brian Martin AO QC in March 2016. 

Mr Martin was also chosen to head the royal commission into juvenile justice in the Northern Territory but quit just four days after his appointment. 

Katherine MLA Sandra Nelson said the main role of ICAC is to investigate and deal with allegations of corruption in public administration, including by investigating matters to refer for prosecution.

“We can say we are transparent and open but it is good to have that secondary layer of accountability,” she said.

“An Independent Commission against Corruption, a corruption watchdog, is well overdue.

“Evidence for this was provided in abundance throughout the previous four years.”

Ms Nelson said she thinks former MLA’s could be investigated. 

“Previous members will be investigated if complaints are put before ICAC and if ICAC thinks there is merit to pursuing it,” she said.  

“I think everyone currently in parliament are focused on returning integrity to government, certainly the CLP ‘s focus is to rebuild their reputation, and a lot of that is about accountability.

“There may be some objections about details in the bill, but the overall piece of legislation and establishment of an ICAC, I do not think will be opposed.”

Ms Nelson said she has advocated and lobbied for the establishment of an ICAC for a long time.

Ms Nelson was selected by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to represent Australia at the 2017 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum in Paris earlier this year. 

“As we know, and as we have seen over the last four years, corruption undermines trust in our institutions, in our businesses and in our markets,” Ms Nelson said. 

“It is a divisive and destructible force, which, at its worst, reduces faith in the rule of law.

“All of this has significant impact on any economic and social development, making it harder for people to prosper and for any community to support its most vulnerable.

“I take great pride in being part of a government that is embracing the responsibility of providing the leadership that is needed to establish an ICAC.”

Ms Nelson said there would need to be “just cause” for someone to be investigated. 

“There would have to be a reason for them to do it, there are civil liberty issues,” she said.