Commission backs anti-rot body

 THE Ombudsman Commission (OC) has supported the government’s proposal to establish the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). 

The OC was among stakeholders that took part in the consultation process of the proposed ICAC Bill. 

Chief Ombudsman Rigo Lua made several comments on the bill during the forum at the National Research Institute (NRI) in Port Moresby yesterday.  

“The Ombudsman Commission agrees that the ICAC should be established according to the Constitution and should operate independently,” he said.

“ICAC should have powers like the Ombudsman Commission but not take over its roles and functions.” 

He said that ICAC should have its own special prosecutorial powers and there should be much consultation done before decisions were made. 

“The roles and functions of the ICAC should be to conduct independent investigations and raise education and awareness.”

The NRI was one of the stakeholders that took part in the consultation process. 

Research Fellow Andrew Mako pointed out the country’s think tank’s input on what the ICAC Bill should look like which included;

• That the ICAC should have a clear legal mission/mandate with clearly defined roles and functions;
• Structural independence of ICAC governed by law;
• Operational independence guaranteed by law;
• Measures be set in place to ensure high integrity of members and staff.