THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR ISAACS
CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX SHOWS NEED FOR NATIONAL INTEGRITY COMMISSION
Perceived levels of corruption in Australia have increased significantly since 2012, according to Transparency International.
On a score between 0 and 100, with the lower the score, the higher the perception of corruption, Australia's perceived level of corruption rating has worsened from 85 in 2012 to 77 in 2017.
This reduced level of trust in our public officials and institutions comes as the Turnbull government continues to refuse to follow Labor's lead to establish a National Integrity Commission. This is despite ABC Vote Compass showing that over 82 per cent of Australians support a federal anti-corruption watchdog.
This dramatic fall in trust is at a time when other countries, including the United Kingdom, have seen increased faith in the integrity of its institutions. This should come as a stark warning to the Turnbull government: Australians are losing faith in the integrity of their government, their parliament, the public service and our public institutions and Mr Turnbull has to act now to reverse this trend.
Labor's National Integrity Commission would help to restore voters trust by acting as a standing royal commission into corruption in the federal public sphere. The need for such a body is now clear, and its establishment should be agreed by all parties.
Labor calls on the Turnbull government to put its internal problems to one side and focus on regaining the trust of the Australian public.
More information on Labor's policy for a National Integrity Commission can be found here.
THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018
