Trio to help design corruption watchdog

NSW crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen will be on an expert panel assembled to help design the federal government's corruption watchdog.

Senior NSW prosecutor Margaret Cunneen

NSW crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen will help design the federal government's corruption watchdog. (AAP)

A crown prosecutor who has seen firsthand the "failings" of state anti-corruption bodies is part of an expert panel which will help the federal government design its own national corruption watchdog.

Outgoing NSW deputy senior crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen will be part of the trio of experts tasked with reviewing legislation for setting up the Commonwealth Integrity Commission.

Ms Cunneen has been critical of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, which had investigated allegations she had perverted the course of justice, by telling her son's girlfriend to fake chest pains to avoid a police breath test after a 2014 car accident.

ICAC was forced to abandon the controversial inquiry in 2015 after the High Court ruled it was outside its jurisdiction.

Also on the expert panel is Mal Wauchope, a former Western Australian public servant who was WA Public Sector Commissioner until he stepped down in March.

So too is Mick Keelty, former Australian Federal Police commissioner from 2001 to 2009, Attorney-General Christian Porter announced on Tuesday.

"The unique experiences of these three individuals across criminal law and prosecution, public sector administration and law enforcement will assist the government to ensure that the model for the CIC is effective, appropriate and balanced," Mr Porter said.

The new body will be split into two parts - one investigating corruption in law enforcement, and the other investigating the public sector.

The current Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity will handle the enforcement division, and be given more responsibility to investigate bodies like the tax office.

The public sector integrity division will investigate government departments, parliamentarians and their staff, the staff of federal judicial officers, and in some circumstances organisations that get federal money.

Public consultation is under way.

The expert panel will work with stakeholders on draft laws before a proposal is put to cabinet.


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Source: AAP



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