MARK DREYFUS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
EXPERTS SLAM THE MORRISON GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL FOR A FEDERAL ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION
Experts have slammed the Morrison Government for announcing but not delivering a strong anti-corruption body.
“Christian Porter’s proposal would be the weakest watchdog in the country. … They’re setting that bar so high for investigations that they wouldn’t be able to investigate ‘sports rorts’ or the Western Sydney airport deal.”
Centre for Public Integrity
“It's an attempt to protect ministers, politicians and senior public servants from investigations into serious corruption.”
Stephen Charles QC, former judge of the Victorian Court of Appeal
"It is designed to cover up corruption, not expose it.”
Geoffrey Watson SC, former counsel assisting the NSW ICAC
“It's a crying shame the government will not give this body an effective way to control corruption in the public service and the Parliament. … The real reason for that is they are afraid of it and how it might affect them.”
Anthony Whealy QC, former judge of the NSW Supreme Court
“The draft legislation released today falls well short of what is required for an effective anti-corruption commission. The model proposed by the Government will fail to ensure corruption is stamped out at the Federal level. A toothless watchdog that fails to hold politicians to account risks further eroding confidence in our political and democratic processes.”
David Harper AM QC, former judge of the Victorian Court of Appeal
“As it is proposed, the [Commonwealth Integrity Commission’s] full Royal Commission powers would only extend to about 20% of the federal public sector.”
A J Brown, Professor of Public Policy and Law at Griffith University
TUESDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 2020
