2026-09-24
The Victorian Greens have secured major reforms strengthening Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog, with Parliament set to pass reforms championed for years by Dr Tim Read.
The legislation is set to pass Parliament later today with substantial changes that have only been made possible because of the Greens, ultimately strengthening IBAC’s ability to investigate corruption and conduct public examinations.
As well as giving IBAC follow-the-dollar powers and expanding its jurisdiction by broadening the definition of corruption, following negotiations with the Greens, the IBAC Bill will now also include.
- removing the “exceptional circumstances” restriction on IBAC holding public examinations, a change repeatedly proposed by the Greens;
- strengthening the process for IBAC to decide to hold public examinations;
- confirming IBAC can use its strengthened powers to investigate all relevant past conduct;
- providing funding transparency for IBAC, to share with parliament its annual budget submission to government;
- provide a report on whether its annual budget is sufficient to combat corruption;
- strengthening requirements for the appointment of the IBAC Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners, including establishing an appointment panel and requiring public advertising of vacant positions; and,
- ensuring the Ministerial Code of Conduct is made public.
The Greens have campaigned for stronger IBAC powers for years, championed relentlessly by Dr Tim Read who repeatedly introduced legislation to broaden IBAC’s jurisdiction, was the first non-government Chair of the Integrity Oversight Committee (IOC) for the landmark report into IBAC released last year, and never stop advocating for IBAC reform including in this Bill.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens Leader Ellen Sandell:
“What a legacy for Greens MP Tim Read. Make no mistake, this IBAC reform would not be happening today if it weren’t for Tim.
“The Greens MPs have continued Tim’s work right until the end, negotiating with the government and working closely with integrity experts well into the evening last night to make this anti-corruption Bill as strong as it possibly can be.
“Victoria will now have much stronger anti-corruption laws due to the the Greens forcing the Government to accept these key amendments and changes.
“Greens MP Tim Read spent years arguing that IBAC needed stronger powers, and he kept putting those reforms before Parliament even when Labor and the Liberals refused to support them. We wish he were here to see these laws pass today but we know how proud he would be of the changes the Greens have made today to strengthen our anti-corruption watchdog.
“Thanks to our work, the Parliament will today adopt key Greens reforms that will give IBAC greater freedom to hold public hearings, investigate past conduct, ensure their funding is transparent, and stop any future government from stacking IBAC with their mates to avoid real scrutiny and accountability.”