MARK DREYFUS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
CASH REFUSES TO COMMIT TO ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION
The Morrison-Joyce Government is now refusing to commit to keeping its 2019 election promise to introduce a national anti-corruption commission.
Attorney-General Michaelia Cash today refused repeated requests from Labor Senators to even commit to introducing a bill before the next election.
MURRAY WATT: Can you confirm today that this bill to establish a national integrity commission, which you promised to do before the last election, will not be introduced this year?
MICHAELIA CASH: Well, that is a decision ultimately for the Government.
WATT: Why have you reneged on the statements that you've repeatedly made to the Senate that it's the Government's intention to introduce this bill this year? And will you finally commit to introduce the bill before the next election? We haven't had a clear answer on that today.
CASH: Well Chair, I believe we have and I can't add anything further to my previous answers.
WATT: So you're not going to give that commitment? No commitment?
(Senate Estimates, 26 November 2021)
Sports Rorts, Grassgate, fake documents, the Airport land rort – the ever-growing list of scandals surrounding the Morrison-Joyce Government have graphically illustrated why Australia needs a powerful and independent anti-corruption commission and why Mr Morrison and his colleagues will do everything in their power to stop it.
FRIDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2021