Inspector's accountability

Under sections 35 and 36 of the IEC Act, the Inspector must evaluate the performance of the Commissioner for a financial year and prepare a report.

The Inspector must consider:

• whether the IEC and members of the IEC staff acted within their powers and were compliant with the Integrity Acts (as defined)  (and other relevant legislation)
• whether the IEC has implemented recommendations made by the Inspector
• any other matters the Inspector considers relevant. This may include the number of complaints received by the IEC or members of IEC staff.

The Inspector will provide the IEC with a copy of the report, and give reasonable opportunity for the IEC to comment on the proposed report.

The final report must include a fair representation of the IEC’s comments.

The IEC Minister (currently the Chief Minister) and the IEC must receive a copy of the report 3 months after the financial year to which it relates.

The IEC Minister must table the report within 6 sitting days after receiving the report.

Sections 43 and 44 of the IEC Act contain similar provisions concerning the Auditor-General.

Because the IEC came into existence on 1 June 2026, it is not possible to evaluate the performance of the Commissioner for the financial year 2025-2026. The inspector intends, however, to prepare a report pursuant to section 39(3) of the IEC Act dealing with the performance of the former ICAC and the IEC for 2025-2026 although not necessarily within the timeframe mandated by section 36(3) of the IEC Act.