The Independent Commission Against Corruption annual report shows the systemic corruption that has been allowed to flourish after 14 and a half years of Labor rule in NSW, Shadow Special Minister of State Chris Hartcher said today.

The ICAC, “recommended seeking the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with respect to the prosecution of 51 people, which is a 122% increase on the previous year”.

Mr Hartcher said the Rees Labor Government has done nothing to end the culture of corruption in NSW which has expanded its over 14 years.

“The ICAC described its 08/09 year as a, bumper year for investigations,” Mr Hartcher said.

“For the State’s corruption investigator to have a 122% increase in prosecutorial referrals shows the Rees Labor Government has failed to rein in corrupt behaviour.

“The biggest concern is there is no plan to fix the problem. RailCorp has failed to implement aniti-corruption measures constantly recommended by ICAC. The same applied to the Planning portfolio.

We have, in NSW, a culture of underhanded deals and secret liaisons including:

• Details of meetings with lobbyists and senior Labor officials exposed after lengthy questioning in Parliamentary committee hearings.
• Senior public servants passed over for promotion in favour of high-ranking Labor mates.
• Public servants forced to write partisan public advertising for Nathan Rees and the Labor Party.
• The hiring of Labor-friendly lobbyists as senior Ministerial staff.
• Caucusing on Labor-led local councils in clear defiance of the model Code of Conduct.

“Nathan Rees must immediately act to end the questionable relationship between his Ministers and Labor-linked lobbyists as a sign he is genuine about halting corruption in NSW,” Mr Hartcher said.