Victoria to broaden 'corruption' definition ahead of state poll

The former head of Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog h…

The former head of Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog has welcomed a proposed overhaul of the state's corruption laws, saying it could have ensnared senior government officials if enacted sooner.

Premier Ben Carroll has pledged to amend the legal definition of 'corruption' prior to the upcoming Victorian election, a change that would widen the scope of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac). Carroll stated on Tuesday that he intends to introduce the legislation before the government transitions into caretaker mode in November.

Under current rules, certain types of misconduct by

Under current rules, certain types of misconduct by public officials fall outside Ibac's investigative remit, meaning they cannot form the basis of a corrupt finding. The proposed revision aims to close that gap, enabling the commission to pursue a broader range of questionable actions.

Former Ibac chief described the move as a significant step forward, noting that the expanded definition might have altered the outcome of past investigations involving high-ranking figures. The change is expected to face scrutiny from both sides of politics as the election season intensifies.