The passing of the ICAC law is therefore an important step, but there is still plenty of work to be done.

There will be nothing to celebrate until a fully functioning commission has been established and the first successful prosecutions resulting in senior public figures being put behind bars.

The government now needs to immediately put in place the regulations that will guide the operation of the commission, ensure it has a generous budget and appoint credible commissioners.

It is also vital that ICAC is set up as a truly independent constitutional body but we are concerned about loopholes in the legislation that mean the commission may end up not being free from political influence.

The appointment of the ICAC commissioners and members of the oversight committee will be done by a committee overseen by the prime minister and opposition leader.

This is not consistent with the notion of political independence.

The prime minister will also have absolute power to block investigations into corrupt conduct where he determines the matters under investigation should be kept secret on the grounds of national security, international relations or the public interest.

This power should not be exercised by the prime minister and should be open to judicial review.

Act Now! has been campaigning for the establishment of an ICAC for the last 10-years and it is shameful it has taken so long for the law to be enacted.