NSW needs the ICAC, just as the Commonwealth needs a robust, independent anti-corruption agency, free of interference from executive government and accountable only to the federal parliament.
In his second reading speech to the NSW Parliament in 1988, then-premier Nick Greiner emphasised that the ICAC Act would apply to all public officers, including members of parliament; it would be independent (hence its title); it would decide what, who and when to investigate; and it would generally hold public hearings.
In the ensuing 33 years, there have been amendments: to appoint an independent inspector, to clarify issues surrounding public and private hearings, to redefine "corrupt conduct".
However, significantly, no NSW government, Labor or Coalition, has sought to either abolish the ICAC or to alter premier Greiner's original mandate.
In 1992 the ICAC expressed concerns over the offer of an appointment to a former education minister to a new public service post.
Under pressure from the opposition and independents, Greiner resigned.
In a 2014 investigation, the ICAC was told premier Barry O'Farrell had been given a $3000 bottle of wine and the premier had responded with a telephone call and thank-you note.
Under oath, O'Farrell denied the gift, the call, and the note. When shown to have given false information under oath he resigned.
Former premier Gladys Berejiklian admitted to having a personal relationship with disgraced MP Daryl Maguire, which continued for a further two years after he was exposed as corrupt.
The ICAC has said it will investigate the former premier's conduct and Berejiklian resigned.
Public trust in politicians is at a very low ebb.
This is not the fault of the ICAC.
The resignations of premiers Greiner and O'Farrell were not the fault of the ICAC.
Former premier Berejiklian's relationship with Daryl Maguire is not the fault of the ICAC.
If public trust in politicians and public institutions is to be restored, we need the ICAC - and a similar, independent federal body - to identify, investigate and expose the behaviour that erodes that trust.
We must avoid judging it harshly simply because it may affect somebody we know and like.
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