Former Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg took aim at the Integrity Commission's efficiency during a committee hearing into its performance yesterday.

Mr Bugg said the commission's investigations should be short and sharp, but told the committee of a preliminary assessment that he said took far too long.

"This was not a serious matter . . . the triage process turned into an investigation . . . in reality because the assessor had that power under the act," Mr Bugg said.

"After five months the assessor said, 'Well that's as far as I can take it' and the chief executive officer referred it out to the Ombudsman, the head of the department and one other person.

"I question five months to assess a matter and flick-pass it to three different people for them to investigate and take action."

The complaint was eventually dropped.

Mr Bugg said the commission's educative arm was working well, but questioned whether an independent body with such coercive powers and scope was best placed to deliver the service.

"Does it require a board of six and structure such as the Integrity Commission to provide it, or are there other sources that can do it just the same?" he asked committee members.

Professor Jeff Malpas later told the committee the commission must be smaller and leaner, but should not be stripped of its investigative powers as the government has suggested.

"I think that would be retrograde step and would also send the wrong message," Professor Malpas said.

"The investigative functions are important and they have to remain."

Professor Malpas told the hearing the watchdog's educative function must be overhauled, arguing its current focus was misguided.

He said the commission should shift its attention towards improving and strengthening ethics, rather than instructing public servants on adhering to codes of conduct and complying with legislation.