TJ Ryan Foundation Research Associate, AJ Brown, writes in The Guardian (15.4.22) about Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s reluctance to establish a national integrity agency.
‘What kind of leadership will deliver a strong federal integrity commission after this election?
‘The Liberal leader Scott Morrison’s comments this week ramp this up as a key question for the 2022 federal poll. He promised before the last election to introduce an integrity commission and he has not done that. Now he is trying to blame Labor for the broken election promise.
‘Integrity underpins every other promise made – by everyone vying for government. It’s what makes sure the investments in jobs actually end up creating jobs. Or the grants being given for rebuilding after floods go where they are needed, not diverted into private pockets or spent buying votes for the sake of votes.
‘It’s what guarantees national security – look at how the looting of public money from the people of Russia has built a regime so corrupt it is destabilising the world as we know it.
‘So the prime minister’s attempt to stick with the Coalition’s current proposal for a commonwealth integrity commission, first conceived in 2018, raises big issues.’
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TJ Ryan Foundation Research Associate, AJ Brown, writes in The Conversation (28.9.22) about the Albanese government’s proposed national anti-corruption commission, arguing that, while Labor is close to delivering an historic integrity reform, there are wrinkles still to be ironed out.
‘The prospects of Australia securing a strong federal anti-corruption agency have taken a huge leap forward, with introduction of the Albanese government’s much awaited National Anti-Corruption Commission bill into federal parliament.
‘It’s 17 years since Transparency International Australia first recommended this reform, and five years since a Senate Select Committee agreed unanimously it was time to give it serious consideration.
‘… Ultimately, the Morrison government’s failure to deliver a credible proposal was instrumental in its defeat in May 2022. But it also paved the way for a commission that can be not just strong and effective, but enduring, with the Coalition Opposition now signalling strongly it wants to regain credibility by supporting Labor’s vastly superior model.
‘In coming weeks, a joint select committee of the parliament will take submissions and review the bill, and recommend any improvements by November 10. It will be a crucial process. The government is close to delivering on its promise to create a state-of-the-art anti-corruption body – but isn’t quite there yet.’
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