The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is independent. It is not subject to the direction of any person other than the Commissioner in relation to the way it carries out its functions and exercises its powers.

However, ICAC is subject to scrutiny through the following accountability measures to ensure that its functions are properly carried out and its powers appropriately used.

Parliamentary Committee and Responsible Minister

ICAC is subject to the oversight of the Parliamentary Crime and Public Integrity Policy Committee (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site). ICAC is required to promptly provide a copy of any public report, including the annual report, to the committee. The Commissioner gives evidence before this committee each year.

The Commissioner must also keep the Attorney-General informed of the general conduct of the functions of ICAC.

Inspector

An independent Inspector is appointed to undertake an annual review of the Commission’s exercise of powers, to ensure those powers were exercised in an appropriate manner. The review must consider whether there is any evidence of:

• corruption, misconduct or maladministration in public administration on the part of the Commission or employees of the Commission
• unreasonable delay in the conduct of investigations under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2012
• unreasonable invasions of privacy by the Commission or employees of the Commission.

The review must also consider whether undue prejudice to the reputation of any person was caused and whether the practices and procedures of the Commission were effective and efficient, and whether the Commission carried out their functions in a manner that was likely to assist in preventing or minimising corruption in public administration.

The Inspector may also examine any particular exercises of power by the Commission.

The independent Inspector can also receive complaints from members of the public relating to the conduct of any person exercising or purporting to exercise functions and powers under the ICAC Act. (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)

The role of the Inspector is not to review the decisions of ICAC in relation to the outcome of a matter.

For further information about the role of the Inspector, you can visit the Inspector’s website (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).

Complaints can be made to the Inspector by completing the online complaint form (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)on the Inspector’s website or by printing the paper-based form (external site) (PDF) (external site) (PDF) and sending it via email to Inspector@sa.gov.au or by post to:

The Inspector
GPO Box 237
Adelaide South Australia 5001