The NSW Liberal Government has delivered a $15 million cut to the State’s key integrity agencies – including the ICAC, the Law Enforcement Commission – compromising their independence and ability to conduct investigations.
NSW Shadow Treasurer Walt Secord was responding to answers given to supplementary questions during Budget Estimates with Special Minister of State, Public Service and Employee Relations, Mr Don Harwin.
The funding cuts will affect five key integrity agencies over the periods – 2020-21; 2021-22; 2022-23; and 2023-24:
The cuts compromise:
- The Independent Commission Against Corruption ($3.418 million) ;
- The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission ($3.316 million);
- The Audit Office of NSW ($373,000)
- The NSW Electoral Commission($4.425 million); and
- The NSW Ombudsman ($3.436 million).
This totals $14.968 million over a four year period.
Shadow Special Minister of State and Shadow Treasurer Walt Secord said: “this is a de facto declaration of war on the State’s integrity bodies.”
The ICAC chief commissioner, Peter Hall QC and the NSW Auditor-General Margaret Crawford had previously expressed concerns about the need for independent funding.
Currently, the ICAC has been reduced to its smallest size in its 30 year history.
On March 22, the ICAC handed down its report from Operation Dasha, involving the conduct of disgraced former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.
“Sadly, the easiest way to stymie those who root out corruption is to tie their investigative hands behind their backs,” Mr Secord said.
“In the past year, we have heard revelations against the Premier’s office shredding important documents and delivering millions of dollars in grants without proper process.”
Last year, the Government also rejected a bill to protect the funding of the ICAC.
“I love it when a plan comes together”
Seriously, is it just me or is old Gladys looking more manly lately?
Yes they recently passed the bill where they have total privacy from their crimes but thats ok because we know who they are anyway & so does the Almighty One Himself.
This is absolutely disgraceful and parallels the defunding of similar such bodies by the Federal Government. If this is not an admission of Liberal Loaded Guilt I don’t know what is. There is NO INTEGRITY IN LIBERAL GOVERNMENTS. This is a complete travesty of the LAW and related legal practices. Something must be done to stop these Liberal Governments dead in their tracks!!
If the need public funding…lets do it! Go Fund these organisations if they work for the people.
She needs to be behind bars for the rest of her natural life.
Dang she’s ugly.
Another jew