Review of anti-corruption strategies Rob McCusker - Australian ...

Implementation of the strategy is key to its ultimate success and relies upon the successful
coordination of a number of disparate agencies and varied approaches. It is important that a focal
point be established with sole responsibility for marshalling such efforts. This might be in the form of
an independent anti-corruption body such as Hong Kong SAR’s Independent Commission Against
Corruption (ICAC) which combines investigation, prevention and public support, or in the form of interagency
coordinating bodies such as those that exist in Venezuela to facilitate coordination between
police, prosecutors and the Supreme Court.
Anti-corruption strategies cannot operate successfully within a vacuum but should rely upon the
engagement of a wide range of participants. Transparency International advocates the utilisation of civil
society in terms of raising awareness, obtaining access to information and supporting and enforcing
business ethics. It is essential the business sector in particular plays a major role in anti-corruption efforts
since it is this sector which provides both the incentive and the financial wherewithal for much of the
corruption to exist and continue.
The economic determination behind most anti-corruption efforts and aid sponsorship programs has
been challenged and it would be wise perhaps to be aware of such criticisms when creating a strategy.
It can be argued that in some cases, corruption is a driver of economic change rather than a forestaller
of it. One attempt to embrace economic drivers in the fight against corruption is the creation of Special
Governance Zones (SGZs) which are modelled on Free Enterprise Zones, common in developing nations.
The SGZ is a city or region within a country in which major reforms can be undertaken but which are
localised and reversible and thus minimise the political fallout that might occur in countrywide endeavours.
The anti-corruption agency, preferably independent from any government or departments, is cited as a
key aspect of any anti-corruption strategy. The model example of such an agency is Hong Kong SAR’s
ICAC which adopts a three pronged holistic approach to corruption, namely, investigation, prevention and
education. It has been successful also because of political support at the highest levels of government,
the creation of appropriately strong anti-corruption legislation, simultaneous strengthening of law
enforcement agencies and widespread public support and assistance.
Addressing deficits within the public sector is key in the fight against corruption. Providing adequate pay
scales for public servants is a first step. However, it is also desirable for allied benefits such as pension
schemes and allowances to be withdrawn in the face of discovered corrupt behaviour as is removing the
opportunities from public servants to engage in corruption, for example through removing the authority
of the state to restrict exports or license businesses. Finally, rotating staff within departments to prevent
individuals from establishing elaborate corrupt arrangements with others or ensuring that staff are not
political appointments in the first instance should be considered.
Determining the impact of anti-corruption strategies is integral to the overall success of the venture.
It should be noted that determining whether corruption has in fact occurred is notoriously difficult,
since the notion of corruption, of honesty and what a reasonable person might consider corruption
are in many ways culturally defined. Transparency International provides a benchmark (via the NIS)
against which countries can evaluate their success or otherwise. Based on country self-assessments,
a recent evaluation of the Asia–Pacific region (ADB/OECD 2004) noted that countries in the region had
successfully undertaken a range of preventive measures such as ensuring the transparency of public
administration. Also, a number of initiatives aimed at improving the relationship between government
and civil society were undertaken, such as awareness raising and input into the legal drafting processes.
Equally, weaknesses were noted in areas such as criminal provisions, a weak regulatory environment and
the lack of criminalisation of certain forms of corruption.
Anti-corruption strategies are deemed to have a number of intrinsic weaknesses including over-reliance
on the judiciary, police and financial sector without appreciating that, in many countries, such institutions