Corruption Bill to be presented

THE much-awaited Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Bill has been given the green light by Cabinet to be tabled in Parliament, according to Justice Minister and Attorney-General Davis Steven.
Deputy Prime Minister Steven, pictured, said the Organic Law on ICAC was an important legislation.
“I am pleased that this important legislation can now go to Parliament for deliberation by the nation’s law makers, hopefully, in the next seating of Parliament,” he said.
Steven said the legal team in the Department of Justice and Attorney-General had started working on the regulations required to operationalise ICAC.
He said Constitutional amendments to establish ICAC were passed in 2015. But there was little time to pass the Organic Law in the last term of Parliament.
“The passage of the Organic Law on ICAC has been delayed for many reasons including bureaucratic rigmarole,” he said.
“We have the opportunity to pass the legislation in the remaining months of this term of Parliament.
“Our Government is determined to have the ICAC established by 2022 as part of our strategy to combat corruption in the country.
“Citizens and interested groups can access the full text of the ICAC bill when it is published in the National Gazette for a period of one month as required by law.”
The ICAC bill will also be published in the department’s website.
All members of Parliament will be provided a copy of the bill at least one month before it is tabled.
“I have directed my department to follow these procedures strictly,” he said.
“Our people must participate meaningfully in the process of passing important laws that affect their lives.
“Laws must be made following consensus and not imposed upon the people.”