| Anti-corruption commissioner defends secrecy surrounding investigations in South Australia |
South Australia's anti-corruption commissioner has defended the secrecy surrounding his investigations, saying the only way to catch those acting corruptly is to investigate "out of the public eye".
Bruce Lander QC spoke at the SA Press Club just days after the first corruption arrests since the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) was set up in the state a year ago.
It is illegal in South Australia to reveal that an ICAC investigation is underway, or that a matter had been referred to the commissioner.
The arrest of eight police officers from Operation Mantle on corruption and theft charges was only made public after the commissioner gave permission.
Mr Lander said while South Australia's ICAC was the most secret in Australia, he believed the only way to catch those acting corruptly was to carry out investigations "out of the public eye".
"If the officers who have been charged had known that I was carrying out an investigation into their conduct we would have gathered no evidence," Mr Lander said.
"None of them would have been charged with any offence. All we would have been left with at the end was a suspicion that they had committed offences."
ICAC report raised concerns about ministerial staff
Mr Lander's first annual report tabled in Parliament revealed that he received 923 complaints, 172 of which raised issues of potential corruption that had resulted in 71 investigations.
The commissioner said he expected a number of those would be referred to a prosecution authority.
Mr Lander recommended that the Government consider a range of reforms to prevent corruption, including crackdowns on lobbyists and political donations.
In his report, the commissioner also raised concerns that ministerial staff were using personal email accounts to avoid public scrutiny of government business.
"It seemed to me that we ought to bring to the attention of the Government the fact this is occurring and that it will cause difficulties to the Government if it's allowed to continue," Mr Lander said.
The Government said it would remind all staff of their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act.
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