Latest news with #integrity
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Tasmanian premier unsure why Integrity Commission scrapped reform of oversight of state's political lobbyists
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has said it is up to the state's Integrity Commission to explain why it has decided not to implement a new oversight model for lobbyists. The commissioner emailed those affected by the model on Monday to say it would not be going ahead with the new system "at this time", but has not provided a reason. The model has been in development since 2022 and was due to start on July 1, requiring all MPs, heads of government agencies, and political advisers to disclose contact with lobbyists within five days. It would then be publicly disclosed, including whether the lobbyist was attempting to influence legislation, government grants or contracts, funding allocations, and government policies. A lobbyist is someone who either receives a fee to lobby on behalf of a client or is directly employed as a lobbyist by a company. Tasmania has 70 registered lobbyists, including former premiers Paul Lennon and Will Hodgman, Mr Hodgman's former chief of staff Brad Stansfield, Mr Rockliff's former chief of staff Vanessa Field, and former federal MP Christopher Pyne. Mr Rockliff said he was unaware why the new model was not proceeding. "I haven't spoken to the Integrity Commission," he said. "It's up to them to outline their reasons. The Integrity Commission would not comment on why it made the decision, other than to say the decision was made by its board. The new lobbyist oversight system had gone through multiple rounds of consultation and drafts before a final recommendation was reached. In one proposed model, the Integrity Commission described the system as a "significant transparency measure" that would "enhance confidence in government decision making". It would have introduced a 12-month 'cooling off' period before MPs and political advisers could transition into lobbying activities. Success fees would have been banned, with Tasmania the only state or territory that still allows lobbyists to be paid for getting specific outcomes for clients. A proposal that prevented lobbyists who advise in election campaigns to go straight back into lobbying was dropped from the final recommendation. This proposal had attracted extensive criticism from Liberal-linked firm Font PR, which argued it had been "unfairly targeted". Labor leader Dean Winter said he suspected the state election was a reason for the system not being implemented. He said Tasmania needed stronger integrity oversight. Nelson independent MLC Meg Webb said the model would have lacked enforcement powers, and should be legislated. "We need to legislate this new oversight regime so that it's not able to come and go at the whim of somebody," she said. "There also needs to be a head of power for enforcing it. The policy settings around the Integrity Commission have been a regular source of debate in Tasmania. The government has implemented six out of 55 recommendations from a 2016 review. This review was itself reviewed by the Justice Department in 2022, but no further recommendations have made headway. These recommendations included adding a definition of "serious misconduct", that the Integrity Commission maintain jurisdiction over matters referred to other public authorities, and removing the privilege of self-incrimination. The government agreed to carry out an independent review of the Integrity Commission as part of its supply and confidence deal with the Jacqui Lambie Network, but this was cancelled in February, which the government said was due to it interfering with a parliamentary committee. That review had been used as a reason not to carry out reforms to the Integrity Commission. The length of time for the Integrity Commission to carry out investigations has also been criticised, with at least one government MP being investigated for more than three years. In the Integrity Commission's latest annual report, Chief Commissioner Greg Melick said it was "the most under-funded integrity body in the country". "Regrettably, our investigations are protracted as our staff are forced to juggle multiple competing priorities," he wrote. The most recent state budget included $3.7 million in operational funding for the Integrity Commission, a near identical amount of funding provided in each of the past two budgets.
Wall Street Journal
11 hours ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
Trust in God, Check the Rest
Andy Kessler's excellent column 'Can You Trust Anybody?' (Inside View, June 9) reminds me of a maxim that an early and important mentor instilled in me: 'In God we trust, everyone else we check.' Ronald Reagan, I'm sure, would approve. Bill Heitz
The Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Nkabane may have misled parliament on Seta panel: portfolio committee
'Members of the committee said the information provided through the letter does not reflect the independence initially claimed and that it raises serious questions about the transparency and integrity of the appointment process.' The Sunday Times earlier this month reported the process of appointing the panel was never concluded. A high-level government source told the publication at the time there had been suspicion that the panel never existed. 'She would have to come out straight and say there was no panel, because she can't say to the president, 'I can't tell you',' said the source, who cannot be named. 'She has come to the end of the runway with her games. She is not forthcoming, to the point of wanting to play hide-and-seek with parliament. 'The president can't have conceivably appointed her and given her to understand she [does not need] to be transparent with the public and parliament. The president's government knows it is constitutionally bound to be transparent.'
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sabah CM: GRS govt remains unaffected by expected MACC arrests of two assemblymen
PUTATAN, June 18 — Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government will not be affected by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) expected arrests of two state assemblymen. Hajiji, who claimed he did not know the identity of the assemblymen, reiterated the administration's commitment to integrity and transparency, stating that any legal proceedings should be handled without political interference. 'I don't think it will affect the government. I am aware that they will arrest two people. 'I don't know who they are, but we must respect the process of the law. We are committed to ensuring that we respect not only the law but also the integrity of the government and public officials,' he told reporters after visiting victims of the Kampung Petagas fire at the Dewan Sri Putatan evacuation centre today. Earlier today, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the anti-graft agency would soon arrest and charge three individuals — two state assemblymen and one civilian — as part of its investigation into a series of videos involving prospecting mining licenses. Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman, stressed the importance of allowing the judiciary to determine the individuals' guilt or innocence. 'Regardless of what we do, we must respect the process of the law. Let the court decide whether they are guilty or not. There is room for them to clear their names,' he said. Azam confirmed earlier today that the MACC is in the process of arresting the suspects and informing them of their court dates. 'I cannot reveal the exact date yet, but I can confirm they will be charged in court this month,' Azam was quoted as saying. He added that the MACC is working with the state's Corruption Court to finalise the prosecution date, with suspects currently being interviewed. Addressing questions about a video allegedly implicating the assemblymen, Azam clarified that the investigation is not solely reliant on the video evidence. The corruption scandal, centred on Sabah's mineral mining licenses, made headlines last year and led to several high-profile politicians, including the State Assembly speaker, being called in by MACC following the leak of the videos.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
ADGM Academy and Al Nazaha Association sign strategic collaboration to advance anti-fraud and integrity initiatives
Joint initiatives to include tailored Continuing Professional Education (CPE) training, integrity and anti-fraud focused events, and awareness campaigns for national talent development. Abu Dhabi, UAE: ADGM Academy (ADGMA), the knowledge arm of ADGM, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Al Nazaha Association to advance educational and professional development initiatives focused on integrity and anti-fraud practices across the UAE. The partnership reflects the commitment of both the Academy and the Association to enhance local talent and foster a culture of transparency and ethical conduct through collaborative education and awareness programmes. The partnership was signed by Ali Al Mehairi, Senior Director of Business Enablement at ADGMA, and Mrs. Naeima Al Menhali, Chairwoman of the Board, Al Nazaha Association, on 3rd June 2025. The MoU highlights the strategic collaboration to deliver fraud and integrity training courses to the public, co-develop short Continuing Professional Education (CPE) offerings, and create new UAE-accredited qualifications in the fields of integrity and anti-fraud. The Chairwoman of Al Nazaha Association emphasised that the ACFE is the world's largest anti-fraud organisation and a leading provider of anti-fraud training and education. She further noted that Al Nazaha is the only ACFE affiliate in the UAE officially approved by the Ministry of Community Empowerment and the Department of Community Development. The fraud and integrity training courses will focus on fraud prevention, detection, and deterrence. These courses will be delivered by ADGMA, the ACTVET-approved training provider, and sponsored by Al Nazaha Association, the official UAE affiliate of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). ADGMA and Al Nazaha will also collaborate to jointly host events aimed at raising public and professional awareness of integrity and ethical practices in financial services. A Joint Working Group will also be established in the areas of collaboration defined in the MoU and will be responsible for implementing the partnership's strategic objectives and ensuring the execution of the agreed initiatives. Ali Al Mehairi, Senior Director of Business Enablement at ADGMA said, 'As the knowledge arm of ADGM, one of our goals is to establish and create a stronger and more transparent financial services ecosystem that consists of a new generation of professionals, empowered with the tools and knowledge to uphold market integrity at every level. Our collaboration with Al Nazaha Association marks an important step towards achieving this goal. Through this partnership, we aim to elevate national awareness around ethical conduct and anti-fraud capabilities. Equipping Abu Dhabi and the UAE's knowledge economy with these essential skills is vital to fostering trust and accountability across sectors.' Mrs. Naeima Al Menhali, Chairwoman of the Board at Al Nazaha Association said, 'This partnership represents a significant step toward building a future-ready workforce grounded in the values of integrity, accountability, and professional excellence. In collaboration with ADGM Academy, we take pride in supporting the UAE's vision of a more transparent and ethical society. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to raising awareness and enhancing national capabilities in combating fraud. Through the delivery of specialised training programmes in integrity and anti-fraud practices, we aim to instill a culture of integrity and promote anti-fraud principles across all sectors.' The partnership emphasises ADGMA's ongoing mission to deliver world-class learning and leadership development and further supports the national agenda of developing human capital in key regulatory and governance domains. About ADGM Academy ADGM Academy (ADGMA) is the knowledge arm of the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi - ADGM. ADGM was established in order to promote the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a global financial centre, to develop the economy of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and make it an attractive environment for financial investments and an effective contributor to the international financial services industry. ADGMA was established with the vision of becoming one of the region's top educational and Human Resources academies for banking, finance, and public services. In line with the UAE leadership's vision to continue to build a strong and resilient economic sector, we aim to provide our constituents and the community at large with world-class educational and experiential programmes. ADGMA has been at the forefront of financial and digital training programs, partnering with top industry experts, professional organisations and leading academic institutions to design and deliver programs and produce applied-based research relevant to the financial industry, focusing on future-driven trends. For media queries, please contact: E: media@
