Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Amendment (Facilitation of Timely Reporting) Bill 2022

Second reading

Debate resumed on motion of David Davis:

That the bill be now read a second time.

Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (15:07): I seek to circulate these amendments on behalf of Mr Davis.

Amendments circulated pursuant to standing orders.

Trung LUU: These amendments proposed by Mr Davis provide appropriate balance and will see the timely reporting of IBAC corruption inquiries. It is a critical part of our democracy and our justice system as a whole in the Western world to afford the right of innocence until proven guilty. When seriously unfavourable findings against a person are made, they must be given the reasonable opportunity and time to comment on those findings. On the inverse, when findings that are negative may be presented, they should not be given essentially a protection shield of bureaucratic legal barriers which hamper the release of the reporting. These amendments that I circulate include:

Clause 5, line 34, omit “agreed with” and insert “determined by”.

It is important. So it will read:

(a) the IBAC must give the relevant principal officer of that public body an opportunity to respond to the adverse material within 3 months or the later time determined by the IBAC …

The same goes for the next amendment:

Clause 5, page 3, line 19, omit “agreed with” and insert “determined by”.

These words are compatible with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.

Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (15:10): I move:

That debate on this bill be adjourned until later this day.

Motion agreed to and debate adjourned until later this day.