The tactic - often resulting in "gotcha" moments in the witness box - was the subject of complaints by barristers for witnesses involved in the recent inquiry into Liberal party fundraising before the 2011 state election.

Mr Tudehope said ICAC's ability to make findings of corrupt conduct against witnesses meant an examination of this aspect of its operations is warranted.



But Greens MP Jamie Parker criticised the push just weeks after a review of ICAC's powers by former chief justice of Australia Murray Gleeson and senior barrister Bruce McClintock, commissioned by Premier Mike Baird.

Mr Parker said that the review noted that unlike criminal trials, ICAC "is not bound by the rules of evidence" and did not recommend any legislative change to that aspect of its operations.

"If the Premier has any credibility he should back his own independent panel and stop impeding the important work of the ICAC with yet another inquiry," Mr Parker said.

"Mr Baird needs to stand against these moves to publicly discredit ICAC and strip it of critical corruption fighting powers".