For over a decade, Tasmania’s Integrity Commission has operated with one hand tied behind its back, undermined by weak legislation, chronically inadequate funding, and a lack of support from political leaders.

In an era where public trust in government is already at an all-time low, this continued neglect is not just disappointing, it’s dangerous. The Commission is being deliberately undermined by the lack of sufficient powers and funding to enable it to discharge the corruption-busting obligations laid down by the parliament.

Established nearly 14 years ago following a recommendation by the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct, the commission has since faced significant criticism over its effectiveness.

At the time of the Integrity Commission’s establishment, Tasmania was one of the few states without an independent integrity body. As part of the legislation that set up the Integrity Commission, a review was to be conducted into its running after five years.

That review was undertaken by Sir William Cox in 2016. The Cox Review put forward 55 recommendations, all of which were accepted by the government either in full or in principle. Nearly a decade later, the government has implemented just 6 of those 55 recommendations.

This continued inaction isn’t just a procedural issue, it has practical implications. When reforms are delayed, it becomes harder to identify and address misconduct in a timely way. Public trust in our institutions gradually erodes, and the perception grows that accountability is optional.

A strong, well-resourced integrity system is essential for ensuring transparency and upholding public confidence in government.

Every other state in Australia has significantly strengthened its integrity systems in recent years -introducing greater powers, broader jurisdiction, and in most cases extra funding.

Tasmania, meanwhile, has remained stagnant, falling behind at a time when public trust in politics is already fragile.

By restricting the powers and funding of the Integrity Commission and dragging their heels on implementing the key recommendations set out by the Cox review, governments have found a sure-fire way to avoid scrutiny and evade accountability.

The Chief Integrity Commissioner, Greg Melick said in a media release last year: “We are the most under-funded integrity body in the country. We have also been waiting for legislative amendments to improve our efficacy for nearly 10 years.”

He has also stated it is almost impossible to investigate allegations against Tasmanian members of parliament and their staff unless they consent to it. This is a joke.

There are currently two Tasmanian Members of Parliament under investigation, investigations that remarkably have been ongoing for over two years.

Not only is the Integrity Commission considerably constrained by legislation, but they have also been crying out for more funding for years.

The former Commissioner of Victoria’s Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC), Robert Redlich, said this last year: “The legislation that governs the Tasmanian Integrity Commission is wanting in a vast number of ways, but most significantly, the funding of $3 million is disgraceful.”

The Integrity Commission was allocated $3.7 million in last year’s budget. If it had been funded on the same per capita basis as Victoria’s anti-corruption commission, it would have received almost $2 million more.

It was clear to me that something needed to change, which is why I obtained a commitment from the Premier to a new review as part of the agreement to enable the minority Liberal Government to survive.

The Government was happy to use that agreement to delay the implementation of the Cox recommendations but has now been exposed by the Premier’s decision to walk away from the review.

In 2022 the Department of Justice released a discussion paper outlining 24 recommendations that the Integrity Commission deemed to be high priority. Again, the government did nothing with this information.

With the Government having run out of excuses, the Parliament supported my motion calling for the implementation of all the high priority recommendations set out in the 2022 discussion paper by the end of this year and ordering the government to report back to the House on its progress by September. The decision was unanimous.

Integrity bodies are integral to functioning democracies and serve as safeguards against corruption. When corruption goes unchecked or misconduct is swept under the rug, it’s Tasmanians who pay the price – through wasted public money, backroom deals, and a political culture that prioritises self-protection over public service.

Tasmanians have a right to expect honesty, transparency and accountability from those in public office. The unanimous support for my motion shows that the Parliament recognises the urgent need for reform, but this is only the first step.

Now the government must act.  There can be no more excuses and no more delays. Strengthening the Integrity Commission is not just about good governance. It is about restoring public trust and ensuring that those in power are answerable to the people they serve.

I will keep pushing until we have an integrity system that is truly independent, properly resourced and able to do its job.

Andrew Jenner is the Jacqui Lambie Network Member for Lyons. A former English magistrate and Mayor of the Royal Borough Windsor, he migrated to Tasmania at 17. After time abroad due to family needs, he returned in 2014. Andrew champions political integrity as essential to a healthy and accountable democracy.

Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse view of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.

Support us in expanding our coverage and developing new content by and for Tasmanians. 

New initiatives on the way include:

  • a weekly podcast covering current affairs
  • a revamped website
  • a monthly cartoon competition
  • a user-friendly app for both Android and Apple devices
  • a weekly roundup of key stories