Lawmakers struggle over new anti-corruption measures

Hon Vaipulu is incorrect in his assertion that there is no anti corruption regime in Australia.
The federal jurisdiction has an ombudsman and an integrity commissioner and each state has either an independent anti corruption commission or an ombudsman or both.
Facts cannot hurt.
John Cauchi

Australian anti-corruption legislation. Expanding on the Acting Prime Minister's Statement concerning the Australian position, the Australian government established the Australian Crime Commission whose jurisdiction includes compulsory examination and enquiries into corrupt criminal conduct. These enquiries are held in camera, ie no publication and in secrecy although the reports are often released. Most states have legislation establishing anti-corruption bodies for example the NSW Independent Commission against Corruption. It is technically correct but the role is performed by another multi-purpose investigatory body similar to what is being proposed in Tonga. - Peter Little

In 2006 I provided advice to the Tongan Government that would creat an independent Ombudsman and an independent Anti-Corruption Commissioner, both accountable solely to the Parliament. To provide for an economic model, the proposal included some staff to be shared between the two offices. If Tonga is to take these roles seriously, it is critical that these two statutory officers are independent and not subject to direction by anyone.
John T D Wood
Accountability Specialist and former ombudsman