$139.5 million for Victoria's integrity agencies as new anti-corruption laws begin
IBAC can now investigate a wider range of conduct and follow public money to private subcontractors on government projects.
Victoria's anti-corruption commission and two other integrity agencies will share $139.5 million in extra funding to start work under new laws passed by the Victorian Parliament in September.
The Victorian Government announced the funding on Thursday 22 October. It will support:
- the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC)
- the Victorian Ombudsman
- Integrity Oversight Victoria.
The government says the money means the agencies can begin their work under the new laws immediately.
What the new laws change
According to the Victorian Government release:
- The threshold of conduct IBAC can investigate has been lowered.
- The definition of corrupt conduct now extends to serious disciplinary matters, including serious misconduct and conduct worthy of termination. There is a specific provision for elected officials: ministers, MPs and local councillors.
- IBAC has new "follow-the-money" powers to trace public funds, so it can investigate private and third-party subcontractors on government projects.
- The threshold for holding public hearings has been lowered by removing the "exceptional circumstances" provision.
- There will be a legislated process for recruiting IBAC commissioners.
- IBAC's budget requests and the Ministerial Code of Conduct will be published online.
In short
The changes widen what IBAC can look into, including the conduct of private and third-party subcontractors on government projects, and make it easier for the commission to hold public hearings.
Special Minister of State Ingrid Stitt said Victorians "rightly expect public money to be spent properly".
Sources: Victorian Government media release, “More Money And More Power To Fight Corruption”, 22 October 2026 Adapted from “More Money And More Power To Fight Corruption”, Victorian Government media release, 22 October 2026. © Copyright State Government of Victoria, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence; this version has been edited and shortened, and party-political content removed. Illustrations: The Dosage.