[no bill text published] NT New Ethics Commissioner and Oversight Inspector, and Fines or Jail for Misleading the Inspector

Integrity and Ethics Commissioner Bill 2025

Introduced by: Lia Finocchiaro (CLP)

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Creates the positions of Integrity and Ethics Commissioner and Integrity and Ethics Oversight Inspector.
The Administrator can only appoint the Commissioner after the Legislative Assembly recommends a person.
The Administrator must fire the Commissioner if two-thirds of the Legislative Assembly pass a resolution to do so.
It is a criminal offence to intentionally ignore a direction given under the Act.
It is a criminal offence to knowingly provide misleading information to a public official.
The Commissioner and their staff must give the Inspector all reasonable help with evaluations or complaints.
The Inspector cannot handle grievances or complaints under the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993.
The Act binds the Crown in right of the Territory.
The Northern Territory Government will create two new roles: the Integrity and Ethics Commissioner and the Integrity and Ethics Oversight Inspector.
The Administrator can only appoint the Commissioner after the Legislative Assembly recommends a person for the job.
The Administrator must remove the Commissioner from office if two-thirds of the Legislative Assembly pass a resolution to do so within six sitting days of a statement being tabled.
The Commissioner and their staff must give the Inspector all reasonable help when the Inspector is evaluating a matter or dealing with a complaint.
A person cannot be appointed as the Inspector if they are, or have been in the last 12 months, the Health Complaints Commissioner or a staff member.
Supplementary Inspectors must take an oath to perform their duties faithfully and impartially before they start work.
People who intentionally ignore a direction from the Inspector--knowing they are providing misleading information to an official--can be fined or jailed.
The Northern Territory Government is bound by the rules of this law.