ICAC (Conditions of Appointment - Integrity Measures) Amendment Bill
It is a great pleasure to rise today to speak on the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Conditions of Appointment—Integrity Measures) Amendment Bill 2025, a significant piece of legislation that strengthens the foundations of our anti-corruption framework in South Australia. At its core, this bill is about integrity. It ensures that our ICAC commissioner receives remuneration and pension entitlements commensurate with the gravity and independence of their role. Specifically, it aligns the commissioner's entitlements with those of Supreme Court judges, continuing a tradition of ensuring our anti-corruption watchdog operates with complete autonomy and security.
The ICAC Act stipulates that if a person has held a judicial office before being appointed as an ICAC commissioner, their conditions of appointment cannot be less favourable than those of their judicial office; hence, commissioners Lander and Vanstone were effectively entitled to receive the same salary as a Supreme Court judge.
This bill was prompted by the appointment of Ms Emma Townsend as South Australia's third ICAC commissioner on 3 February 2025. Ms Townsend brings to this role an extraordinary depth of experience in public integrity and law enforcement that makes her uniquely qualified to serve as our state's chief anti-corruption officer. Unlike her predecessors, the Hon. Bruce Lander and the Hon. Ann Vanstone, Commissioner Townsend comes to this role not from the Supreme Court bench but with a rich background in public prosecution and integrity oversight.
For the past four years, she has served as Director of the Office for Public Integrity where she played an instrumental role in establishing it as a standalone agency. Her leadership in this position demonstrated her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of public sector integrity. Before her role at the OPI, Ms Townsend spent more than 18 years as a prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. During this time, she showed particular dedication to protecting our most vulnerable citizens, establishing the office's vulnerable witness team. This initiative has been crucial in managing the prosecution of child sexual abuse cases and supporting vulnerable victims and witnesses through the justice system.
Commissioner Townsend's appointment, following a rigorous nationwide search, reflects a broader trend across Australia. Many jurisdictions now recognise that the leadership of anti-corruption bodies need not be limited to former judges but can benefit from diverse legal and investigative backgrounds that bring fresh perspectives to this critical role. Indeed, with this appointment, South Australia now joins the majority of jurisdictions in Australia who have anti-corruption commissioners from backgrounds other than the judiciary.
This bill ensures that, regardless of their professional background, future ICAC commissioners will receive consistent and appropriate remuneration. It provides for a pension that accrues over time, reaching 50 per cent of salary after five years of service, with the potential to increase to 60 per cent after 10 years. These provisions mirror those available to Supreme Court judges and include appropriate protections for the commissioner's family.
This legislation sends a clear message: we value the independence and integrity of our anti-corruption commission. By ensuring appropriate remuneration and security for those who take on this crucial role, we strengthen the commission's ability to serve the people of South Australia without fear or favour. The appointment of Commissioner Townsend marks a new chapter in South Australia's fight against corruption. This bill ensures she and all future commissioners can fulfil their duties with the same independence and security as their predecessors.
There is no doubt that members of my community are interested in very strong protections for the integrity of the ICAC. I feel confident they will support this integrity measure. I commend this bill to the house.