INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONER AGAINST CORRUPTION BILL
14/06/2012
Adjourned debate on second reading.
(Continued from 12 June 2012.)
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (17:48): I indicate my support for the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bill. Corruption is a massive issue that impacts the life and livelihood of people the world over. While many would more immediately associate the problem with authoritarian regimes and developing countries, corruption is a weed that flourishes anywhere it finds the opportunity. Power and influence is its sunlight, lack of transparency the water that gives it life and, like a weed, it can spread quickly and suffocate everything around it.
The Hon. T.A. Franks interjecting:
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I thought that was a brilliant metaphor, thank you very much.
The Hon. T.A. Franks interjecting:
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: Yes, I had to practise saying it without laughing, but I still love it. I would like to say for the record that I think my staff did a brilliant job.
The Hon. T.A. Franks: I was complimenting the language; I wasn’t being facetious.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I know.
The Hon. S.G. Wade: Just jealous.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: Just jealous. I am obviously not naming the staff member who wrote that speech because I am scared the Hon. Ms Franks will try to steal him from me. Anyhow, Australia fares quite well on the World Bank’s Perception of Corruption Index, finishing eighth in the last set of figures published, though our respectable 8.8 puts us at some distance behind our close neighbours New Zealand, which came first with a rather impressive 9.5.
We are, however, deluding ourselves if we choose to believe that corruption is not a serious issue here in South Australia. There have been many scandals in recent times that I shall not rake over again at this point in time. I think we have already had other members allude to them quite sufficiently. Many more preceded them under governments of either persuasion and in non‑government organisations and corporations both large and small, anywhere where power and influence is wielded without sufficient transparency or accountability.
Every cent that is lost to bribery, nepotism, embezzlement, unbalanced contracts or flawed tenders is money that is not then available for essential services. In addition to this, the damage done to governments, businesses, families, individuals and the public’s confidence in more important institutions is grave and lasting. I feel that it is vital that serious steps be taken to combat corruption and to ensure that those who would engage in corruption will be discovered, exposed and brought to justice. It is for these reasons that I am glad to see that a government has finally shown the will to take action on corruption and, as such, I support very strongly the passage of this bill.
Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. T.J. Stephens.
