Victoria to broaden corruption definition before state election

The Premier stated that the legislation would be introduced before the government enters caretaker mode in November. This move is part of a broader effort to strengthen the state's integrity framework, which includes establishing a special prosecutor and potentially a royal commission into the construction sector. The Victorian parliament is expected to sit for additional days to accommodate these legislative priorities.

Currently, Ibac's jurisdiction is limited to investigating suspected corruption that constitutes a relevant criminal offense, and it can only make findings of corrupt conduct if such an offense is proven. A recent parliamentary inquiry highlighted this narrow threshold, recommending a lower standard that would include misconduct worthy of termination or breaches of public trust. The government has indicated its acceptance of these recommendations in principle.

Former Ibac commissioner Robert Redlich supported the proposed reforms, noting they would bring Victoria's integrity commission closer to the model in New South Wales. He believes these changes, combined with 'follow-the-dollar' powers allowing Ibac to scrutinize public money spent by private contractors, would remove inhibitions on investigating major projects like the 'Big Build' infrastructure program. Redlich also suggested that such a broadened definition might have influenced the findings of a recent Ibac report, Operation Richmond, which investigated conduct by senior government figures.

Catherine Williams of the Centre for Public Integrity also welcomed the prospect of reform, calling it a long-lamented limitation. However, she cautioned that Ibac would require additional resources to effectively fulfill its expanded mandate.