[Greens-Media] Greens say new state government must make integrity in government a key priority

[Michelle.Panayi at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Media Release

Greens say new state government must make integrity in government a key 
priority

In marking International Anti-Corruption Day Greens spokesperson for 
Justice and Anti-Corruption, Sue Pennicuik, today called on the new state 
government to implement much needed integrity reforms in Victoria. 

"In its statement to mark the day, the United Nations notes that public 
servants, as well as elected officials must be guided by ethics, 
transparency and accountability."

"In the lead up to the recent state election, the Greens released several 
initiatives to strengthen integrity and transparency in government and the 
public sector, including a stronger anti-corruption commission, more 
robust freedom of information laws, greater powers for the Victorian 
Auditor-General to scrutinise private companies contracted to the 
government, an inquiry and significant reforms regarding donations to 
political parties, and a stand-alone body to investigate police." 

"According to Tim Smith QC, Chair of the Accountability Round Table, 
Victoria has been lagging for some years on an anti-corruption commission 
with adequate powers to do its job properly, on freedom of information 
laws, and important reforms needed on political funding and donations to 
parties and only the Greens have embraced the need for essential reforms 
and was heartened by that," said Ms. Pennicuik. 

"The Greens are calling on the new government to commit to making 
integrity and transparency a key priority. The recent Coalition government 
and the former Labor government were too secretive and this has undermined 
public trust", Ms. Pennicuik said. 

"Neville Tiffen, a specialist consultant in corporate governance, has said 
this lack of transparency leads to suspicion of conflicts of interests and 
unfair advantage. Open contracting by governments at all levels is a vital 
step to integrity in the public sector."

"The public is also concerned that big business, including property 
developers and other donors to political parties have too much influence", 
 Ms Pennicuik said. "The Greens will be calling for an independent inquiry 
into the funding of political parties in Victoria as NSW is currently 
doing".

The Greens initiatives on integrity can be found here . 

Information on a stand-alone body to investigate police is here.

For further comment contact Ms. Pennicuik  03 9530 8399









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