THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
CLARE O'NEIL MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE
MEMBER FOR HOTHAM
CDPP CONFIRMS MORE FUNDING NEEDED FOR ROYAL COMMISSION PROSECUTIONS
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Sarah McNaughton, has today confirmed she is in discussions with the government about the need for additional funding for her agency, due to an expected increase in workload stemming from the Banking Royal Commission.
The Banking Royal Commission which Scott Morrison resisted for 600 days has uncovered staggering misconduct in the financial services sector and hundreds of thousands of potentially criminal breaches of the law. It is expected that recommendations for prosecution will emerge from the Royal Commissions final report.
Labor is absolutely committed to cracking down on this misconduct. In his budget reply speech, Labor leader Bill Shorten announced our commitment of a $25 million funding boost to the CDPP, recognising what is likely to be a high number of prosecutions recommended in the final report of the Banking Royal Commission.
Instead of matching our commitment, Senate Estimates revealed that the Morrison Government was planning to cut funding for the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce from July next year right after the expected completion of the Banking Royal Commission.
Corporate criminals must brought to justice. Instead of running a protection racket for corporate crooks, the Government should match Labor's commitment for a Corporate Crime Taskforce and ensure our CDPP is adequately funded.
Labor fought for this Royal Commission, Labor committed to a Corporate Crime Taskforce, and Labor will work day and night to protect Australian businesses and consumers from misconduct in the financial services sector.
THURSDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2018
