Today in Parliament, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro will introduce the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill 2025, signalling a turning point in how integrity is upheld in the Northern Territory.
This important legislation establishes the new Integrity and Ethics Commissioner (IEC), delivering the structural reform Territorians have long demanded and implements the key recommendations of the recent McClintock-Hiley Report here in full.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said this reform is not a cost saving measure. It is about improving the resourcing available and restoring integrity to its rightful place at the heart of public service.
"For too long, the Labor-Greens-Johnston alliance played politics with integrity. This legislation is about rebuilding faith, delivering a clear, credible model that Territorians can trust. We are acting decisively to implement the McClintock-Hiley recommendations in full.
Since the ICAC's inception under Labor in 2018, confidence has been eroded, duplication and dysfunction have persisted, and critical matters have gone unresolved. This Bill restores credibility and certainty by creating a stronger, more accountable integrity framework, led by a single Integrity and Ethics Commissioner and supported by an independent Oversight Inspector to safeguard transparency and public trust," said Mrs Finocchiaro.
The legislation formally establishes a single statutory office to unify integrity functions currently dispersed across multiple small agencies. It retains all existing powers of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, the NT Ombudsman, the Information Commissioner, and the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner. By consolidating these functions, the Bill delivers a clear, consistent and effective model, one designed to serve Territorians, not bureaucracy.
The Bill includes transitional arrangements, and the important work of our integrity offices is being maintained through the transition.
Operational and consequential changes will be implemented, with clear timelines and public communication to ensure full transparency.
For Territorians, this new model delivers greater accountability, stronger protections and a system focused on outcomes.
"In our year of action, certainty and security, today marks the beginning of a new era for accountability in the Territory, where integrity is upheld, trust is rebuilt and confidence in public institutions is restored," said Mrs Finocchiaro.
The legislation will be introduced today, with the Government aiming for its passage in November. This will allow a nation-wide recruitment process to commence for the inaugural IEC Commissioner.
