Call For Inquiry Into Corruption
Illawarra Mercury
Monday August 25, 2008
The Wollongong Against Corruption conference on August 16 unanimously carried a motion of no confidence in ICAC. It also called for more resources to fight corruption.
The conference unanimously called for the establishment of a royal commission into corruption in NSW, especially involving planning and property development. The failure of ICAC is to be included in the wide terms of reference.The anger and frustration felt by communities across NSW is palpable. Marginalised, powerless and frustrated as lifestyles and neighbourhoods are destroyed by ugly, ill-planned and inappropriate development.Property development is a Persian market in NSW. As an independent MP, I exposed corruption in the Department of Motor Transport, now RTA, NSW Railways (now State Rail), the Sydney Water Board (now Sydney Water), the Department of Housing and NSW Police Service. Some of the same suspects are in the current line-up.ICAC was established 20 years ago. Yet there is recycled corruption. John Mant, a former ICAC commissioner addressed the delegates and asked why after 20 years there are still major scandals such as occurred in Wollongong. What about the chief executives, the ministers and their responsibilities? Public service contracts must compel adequate risk management. It must also be a sackable offence for contract public servants not to facilitate free and open reporting when unsafe climates develop. When will governments legislate for real freedom of information and the rights of free speech for public servants?The community wants answers. Why did the investigation of exposure of corruption in Wollongong council stop short of a detailed meaningful investigation of State MPs? Are we expected to believe in the firewall between local government and state members of the ALP? Managed preselection and promotion disturbs many ALP members. Frank Sartor, a former independent lord mayor of Sydney, is able to gain preselection for a safe Labor seat and end up in the ministry. Compelling evidence unearthed by citizens of Wollongong raises disturbing questions about who further up the chain sat around their own "table of knowledge". The symptoms of corruption are secrecy, close relationships, money, unusual decisions, grossly inadequate risk management, intimidation of staff, ruthless punishment of whistleblowers, inefficiency, cover-ups, lack of responsiveness, failure to keep proper records and contemptuous treatment of public duty. A perfect fit for the Iemma government.The anger and pressure is growing. Such a royal commission would dwarf that of the police royal commission. A big explosion indeed.John Hatton, Huskisson.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury