MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
TIME FOR AN INTEGRITY COMMISSION WITH TEETH
Today's poll by The Australia Institute shows continued strong support amongst Australians for the establishment of a National Integrity Commission.
The only party that can deliver a National Integrity Commission with teeth is the Labor Party.
More than a year ago, Bill Shorten announced Labor's plan for a National Integrity Commission, which will be legislated within 12 months of a Shorten Labor Government taking office.
The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to announcing its own version of a Commonwealth anti-corruption body, just like it was with the Financial Services Royal Commission. And when Christian Porter unveiled the Liberals model, it was widely canned by the experts.
Their National Integrity Commission is the kind of model you announce when you don't want a National Integrity Commission.
While the Liberals have dragged their heels, Australians trust in government has fallen further with 67 per cent of those surveyed saying they had low to very low trust in government.
It is dangerous for our democracy to allow Australians trust in government to fall to such low levels.
Despite saying it had plans on a National Integrity Commission, the Liberals are yet to introduce legislation or give any kind of timetable as to its implementation. They just cant be trusted.
Only Labor can be trusted to legislate for a National Integrity Commission with teeth within 12 months of the election.
MONDAY, 15 APRIL 2019
