Integrity remains key election issue

THANKS to Claire Armstrong for reminding us that “integrity is a key election issue for voters across the country” (Labor integrity pledge, GA, 16/4).

The Griffith University 2018 Global Corruption Barometer survey of 2018 adds weight to this view, showing two-thirds supported the creation of a new federal anti-corruption body.

These voters also expressed high concern about officials or politicians using their position to benefit themselves or family

(62 per cent) or favouring businesses and individuals in return for political donations or support (56 per cent).

Such concerns inform the platform of political integrity, alongside climate change and women’s issues, that independents contesting marginal Liberal-held seats are running on.

Given the electorates’ widespread concerns about rorting, it is promising that Labor will “establish a national anti-corruption commission within six months of being elected”, and perplexing to find the Liberals are backing away from their 2019 election promise of the same. It is timely to consider this failure to commit to an integrity commission against the Liberal’s campaign slogan, “Positive. Trusted. Delivers”.

Karen L, North Geelong