THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
PORTERS JOHNNY COME LATELY MOMENT
For eight months, the government has repeatedly refused Labor's offer to work together on establishing a National Integrity Commission.
In fact, Christian Porters latest refusal to work with Labor came just 17 days ago.
Just yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister said a National Integrity Commission was not necessary.
Now, all of a sudden, he is open to the idea.
So what changed? The Wentworth byelection, and the prospect of minority government.
This governments so-called principles only last as long as is expedient. With Scott Morrison as Prime Minister, the coalition are desperately grasping for anything they think will help to keep their tenuous grip on power.
In January this year, Bill Shorten outlined Labor's plan to legislate for a National Integrity Commission within 12 months of government and set out seven detailed design principles. We have been waiting for the government to catch up.
Only time will tell if Porter truly is willing to do the work on a federal anti-corruption body or if this is yet another ploy.
SATURDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2018
