THE Integrity Commission's refusal to explain why its inaugural chief executive officer quit 15 months into a five-year contract could undermine the public's confidence in the corruption watchdog, an ethics expert has warned.
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Barbara Etter terminated her contract after taking a month's leave.
No reason for her sudden departure, announced on Tuesday, has been provided.
Natasha Cica, director of the Inglis Clark Centre for Civil Society at the University of Tasmania, said an explanation was needed given the public interest in the matter.
"Obviously it was unfortunate to lose a CEO relatively soon into her five-year contract," Dr Cica said. "I hope that the commission offers some explanation or it raises questions."
Mrs Etter's early exit has sparked renewed calls to scrap the commission, which costs $3 million a year to run and has the power to investigate allegations of misconduct against politicians, public servants, alderman and senior police.
Of the 164 complaints received in its first year, most were dismissed and chairman Murray Kellam said it had found no evidence of systemic corruption.
Dr Cica said it was too soon to judge its performance.
"It's only been in effective operation for a year, we need to give it a chance."
But Australian Lawyers Alliance president Greg Barns said it was unnecessary.
"It was not grounded in rational discussion but rather a climate of a McCarthyism witch hunt," Mr Barns said.
Nelson independent MLC Jim Wilkinson who chaired a committee that recommended the Integrity Commission be set up, said a debate was needed, given the state's tight budget.
"When the Integrity Commission was set set up, certain people were saying there's corruption, they were saying it quite loudly. Now those people are in government," he said.
A review is scheduled after three years.
Premier Lara Giddings said: "If there is a wider public view that the IC is no longer required then we would be happy to have that debate in the community and the Parliament," Ms Giddings said.