- Published:
- Thursday 24 September 2026
The Carroll Labor Government has fast tracked new laws to strengthen Victoria’s public sector integrity agency.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) Amendment Bill 2026 passed the Victorian Parliament today.
Victorians rightly expect public money to be spent properly.
The new laws give IBAC the follow-the-money investigatory powers it needs to trace public funds.
It gives the agency scope to investigate the conduct of private and third-party subcontractors on Government projects.
The threshold of conduct that IBAC can investigate has been lowered under the new laws.
The definition now extends to serious disciplinary matters, including serious misconduct and conduct worthy of termination.
This includes a specific provision for elected officials – Ministers, MPs and local councillors.
The new laws also capture additional integrity reforms including:
- lowering the threshold for convening public hearings by removing the exceptional circumstances provision
- a legislated process for the recruitment of IBAC Commissioners
- publication of IBAC’s budget requests
- an enduring requirement for the Ministerial Code of Conduct to be published online.
The laws will come into effect immediately following Royal Assent, so IBAC has the powers it needs this year.
Quotes attributable to Special Minister of State Ingrid Stitt
"Labor has given IBAC the powers it needs to clamp down on corruption.”
“We are making sure public money is spent properly and Victoria is led with transparency.”
“While Jess Wilson and the Liberals played a cynical political game with this reform, we worked collaboratively with the Parliament to strengthen integrity in this state.”