THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
TURNBULL CONSIDERED NIC SO WHERE IS MORRISON?
Revelations last night that former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was planning to introduce a National Integrity Commission before being rolled show the deep divisions within the coalition on this important issue.
Labor has been calling on the government since January to work with us on establishing a federal anti-corruption body. Our commitment to legislate for a National Integrity Commission within 12 months of government is rock solid.
The chaotic coalition has been all over the place on this issue. While Turnbull said he had an open mind, Barnaby Joyce and Michael Sukkar scorned the idea. Christian Porter said he could see no persuasive evidence a National Integrity Commission was necessary.
Now, thanks to 7:30, we discover Mr Turnbull and Mr Porter were in fact working on a National Integrity Commission before Mr Turnbull was dumped by his own party. They said one thing in public, and another thing entirely in private.
But new Prime Minister Scott Morrison cannot ignore the idea for ever. There is overwhelming public support for a National Integrity Commission, and the crossbench is onside.
So the question is will this be just like the Banking Royal Commission? Will Scott Morrison scorn the idea, and then pretend it was his once he announces it like the marketing man that he is?
Australians won't buy it.
Labor is proud to be leading the national conversation on important policy ideas like a National Integrity Commission. Even if the government wont join in.
THURSDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2018
