Victoria is well served by its Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) and has been since its inception. During its first five years of operations, under the leadership of founding Commissioner Stephen O’Bryan, QC, it quietly went about establishing the structures and processes needed to ensure that IBAC would serve the people of Victoria and the public interest in the manner expected of a somewhat powerful anti-corruption body.

The first commissioner was careful not to politicise his and the organisation’s role. IBAC’s second and current commissioner, Robert Redlich, QC, has continued the same non-political approach. The style of leadership exhibited by both commissioners is commendable and is reflected in their considered decisions about when to hold public hearings.

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich.

Requests by IBAC for greater budgetary independence have been granted. This means, for the first time since it commenced operations nearly seven years ago, this independent body will no longer have its budget determined by the government; from mid-2020 the Victorian Parliament will be responsible for this defining element of IBAC’s effectiveness.

It is hoped the Parliament responds positively to the Commission’s repeated requests for increased resources. An immediate injection of funds by the government, however, would be an even better outcome for Victorians, as it would mean IBAC is properly funded for the next six months.