Investigating corruption, maladministration and misconduct in public administration: Has South Australia struck the right balance?

Abstract

This article considers the appropriateness of reforms to the South Australian Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) passed by the state Parliament in 2021. Specifically, the author considers the narrower definition of ‘corruption’ in public administration for the purposes of ICAC investigations, and further examines the transfer of ‘misconduct’ and ‘maladministration’ investigations to the SA Ombudsman. The author contends that the excessive application of ICAC power on alleged minor offending justified a transfer of responsibility for such matters. However, the amended definition of corruption in public administration is argued to unreasonably limit the intended utility of the ICAC.