1.1
Labor stands for integrity and transparency in government, and we have
no tolerance for corruption. In January 2018, Labor announced that
legislation to establish a National Integrity Commission would be introduced in
the first 12 months of a Shorten Labor Government. Labor also said that we
would be willing to work with the government to establish a National Integrity
Commission during the current term of this 45th Parliament.
1.2
After spending almost a year rejecting calls from Labor and the
crossbench to support the establishment of a National Integrity Commission and
a mere two weeks after the Prime Minister dismissed it as a 'fringe issue', the
Morrison government finally announced that it would backflip to establish a
'federal anti-corruption commission'.
1.3
Unfortunately, the model proposed by the government is grossly
inadequate to the task. It has been roundly criticised by experts for its
limited scope, limited powers and lack of transparency. The former head of the
NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Hon David Ipp AO QC, summed
up the concerns of many when he said that the model proposed by the government
was the 'kind of integrity commission that you would have when you don't want
to have an integrity commission'.
1.4
Unlike the government's model of a secret tribunal with very limited
powers, Labor members of this committee believe that a national integrity
commission must have all the powers of a standing Royal Commission, and the
power to hold public hearings where it is in the public interest to do so.
1.5
It will be an independent, statutory agency. The Commissioner will be
appointed for a fixed, five year term. The Commission itself will be subject to
oversight by a parliamentary committee.
1.6
Labor agrees with the majority of this committee that the models for a
national integrity commission proposed in the bills introduced by Ms McGowan
and by the Greens Party, which are the subject of this inquiry, should not
proceed. While Ms McGowan's aims are admirable, the design of a complex
body like this should be done with the help of a department over a period of
months and the design then consulted on with legal experts, anti-corruption
specialists and the wider Australian community. This process has not yet
occurred.
1.7
Faith in the political class in Australia is at historically low levels.
Some Australians believe the political system is broken altogether. We can't
let this continue. If distrust develops between voters and their elected
representatives, our democracy is in danger.
1.8
Labor believes that the establishment of a National Integrity
Commission, with full independence from government and appropriate powers and
resources, will help to set a standard and send a message—that corruption in
any part of our Commonwealth is not acceptable.
1.9
Since Labor's announcement, momentum and popular support for a federal
anti‑corruption body has only increased. We are proud to have committed
to establish a National Integrity Commission, with all the powers, resources
and independence of a standing Royal Commission into corruption.
1.10
If a Shorten Labor Government is elected we will immediately get to work
finalising the design and technical details of the National Integrity
Commission, in consultation with legal and anti-corruption experts and the
wider Australian community. And within a year of taking office we will
introduce legislation to make a National Integrity Commission a reality.
Senator
Louise Pratt
Deputy Chair
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