The NT Government is expected to pass legislation for an Independent Commission Against Corruption this week.
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The Leader of Government Business Natasha Fyles said it’s an historic week of sittings with Parliament expected to pass legislation for an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
“Territorians want and deserve a government they can trust,” Ms Fyles said.
“Trust in government was eroded after a tumultuous four years under the former CLP government and we promised Territorians we would rebuild that trust by building a powerful and independent ICAC.”
Minister Fyles said to ensure the ICAC legislation is robust the Territory Labor Government released an exposure Bill for public consultation and referred it to Parliament’s new scrutiny committee process for review.
“That committee has submitted its report and recommendations will be debated in Parliament tomorrow,” Ms Fyles said.
“The Chief Minister has already ruled out one recommendation that would see politicians exempt from scrutiny.”
That one recommendation from the Social Policy Scrutiny Committee was to exclude MPs from some sections of the new laws.
That committee included a majority of three Labor MPs – Ngaree Ah Kit, Chansey Paech and Katherine MLA Sandra Nelson.
Mr Gunner immediately ruled out the proposal.
The legislation, expected to pass this week, will allow for work to begin establishing an ICAC.
Expressions of Interest are being sought for an appropriate Commissioner and the ICAC is expected to be up and running mid 2018.
Minister Fyles said the government will also work to provide policy certainty for industry by repealing the 400m2 floor size policy in the November sittings.
“This is an important step towards delivering recommendations from the Alcohol Policy and Legislation Review (Riley Review) handed to government last month,” she said.
“While the majority of Territorians do the right thing we can’t ignore the significant social and economic costs to the Territory as a whole, with alcohol related harm costing the Territory upward of $640 million dollars a year based on a 2009 report.”
Minister Fyles said the floor size legislation will be done on urgency, but won’t come into effect until the Liquor Commission is established.
“The review has clearly identified the current structure as ad-hoc and not fit for purpose and it would be irresponsible to leave a policy vacuum in this space after so much work has been done to address alcohol related crime and violence,” Ms Fyles said.