How ICAC broke the NSW government? (The Dirty History)

In this video, we'll be exploring the story of former Premier of New South Wales, Nick Greiner, who played a pivotal role in setting up the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), only to later find himself caught up in its investigative net.

Nick Greiner is a prominent figure in Australian politics, having served as the Premier of New South Wales from 1988 to 1992. During his time in office, he recognized the need for an independent commission to investigate corruption in the state government and spearheaded the establishment of ICAC in 1988.

However, little did he know that his own actions would eventually fall under the commission's scrutiny. In 1992, just months after leaving office, Greiner was accused of appointing an associate to a government position in exchange for his resignation from a lucrative private sector job.

The accusations sparked an ICAC investigation, and Greiner found himself in the rare position of being both the creator and target of the commission he had helped establish. The investigation quickly turned into a media circus, with Greiner and his colleagues, Brad Hazzard and Terry Metherell being grilled by ICAC over the course of several public hearings.

Ultimately, ICAC found that Greiner had engaged in conduct that was "serious enough to amount to corrupt conduct," and recommended that he be prosecuted. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions declined to take the case to trial, citing a lack of evidence.

Despite avoiding criminal charges, Greiner's reputation was tarnished by the scandal, and he resigned from politics shortly afterwards. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political power and the importance of maintaining ethical standards, even when establishing institutions that are meant to hold others accountable.

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