The Victorian Government has passed new laws to strengthen the powers of the state’s public sector integrity agency.
The Government says the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) Amendment Bill 2026 will give the integrity agency the follow-the-money investigatory powers it needs to trace public funds.
The new legislation 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 also 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.
“We are making sure public money is spent properly and Victoria is led with transparency,” said Special Minister of State, Ingrid Stitt.
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.
