The topic of public hearings has received media coverage recently, in part due to reporting about IBAC's Operation Gloucester public hearings. IBAC conducts the vast majority of examinations in private, as required by our legislation. This protects the integrity of our investigations and the reputations of those involved. However, holding public hearings is an important power of IBAC. Public hearings are a vital investigative tool for IBAC, and an important part of our work to expose corruption and police misconduct.