SA ICAC calls for new eyes
South Australia's Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) says public officers suspended with pay should be better monitored.
“Cases have been brought to my attention where a public officer has remained suspended with pay for more than 12 months,” Mr Lander wrote in ICAC’s annual report.
“Where a public officer remains suspended with pay for extended period of time, there are many losers.”
Mr Lander said a central record of public officers dismissed from public employment should be created as well, so that the same public officer could not be unknowingly employed by another public authority.
Mr Lander recommends that ICAC Act be amended to allow him to report to Parliament about any issues, even if there has not been a prosecution or findings of misconduct or maladministration.
“In being able to make reports, I can bring to light issues that might otherwise never be aired,” he wrote.
“Such issues might garner more widespread consideration and could lead to positive changes across multiple agencies.”
Also in the annual report, the number of complaints and reports lodged with ICAC was revealed to have risen almost 15 per cent in the past year.
ICAC received a total of 1,063 complaints, mostly relating to abuse of power.
Ten public officers were charged with criminal offences after ICAC investigations this year, while three other public officers were charged following joint investigations with SA Police.
Four more matters are sitting with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).