Candidates call for stronger ICAC model
THREE of Garth Hamilton’s election challengers in Groom want a stronger federal anticorruption commission from the next government, but the incumbent MP says the Coalition’s “law and order” approach is the right model.
The ALP’s Gen Allpass and independents Suzie Holt and Kirstie Smolenski all backed differing models that they said would clamp down on government corruption and boost trust in the political system.
A federal integrity body has become a major election issue for both sides of politics, with the Coalition failing to introduce legislation during the previous term.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government has spent $50m on the proposal but won’t bring it to the floor until it has support from Labor, while Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has expressed serious concerns about the scope of the proposed commission. Mr Hamilton said he wanted to avoid the body becoming a “star chamber”.
“If we’re going to put this up it should have a focus on law and order,” he said.
“The worst outcome would be if this became a star chamber to be used for political purposes.”
Mr Hamilton also rejected Labor’s argument that the proposal would not allow for retrospective investigations, calling the Opposition’s plan a “two page document”.
Ms Allpass called the Coalition’s proposed commission “weak”, saying the ALP supported a more transparent and independent concept.
“Mr Morrison’s proposed integrity commission is so weak that it would be unable to commence its own independent inquiries into government corruption, (it is) prevented from holding public hearings into politicians or public servants, and is banned from investigating any of the multiple past scandals,” she said.
“It has been described by legal experts as a body designed not to stamp out corruption, but help cover it up.
“Mr Hamilton is once again trying to pull the wool over the eyes of our community – we’re smarter than that.”
Independent Suzie Holt said both sides of politics should back MP Helen Haines’
proposed bill, which would give whistleblower protections and host public hearings.
“We have been listening to the community, and they’ve had enough of the lack of accountability,” she said.
“I want a strong integrity bill with teeth. I fully support Helen Haines’ bill and it should be adopted by both parties, but it was rejected.”
Fellow independent Kirstie Smolenski said she wanted to see something even broader than Ms Haines’ plan, where a commission would extend to areas like political donations.
“What the Liberal Government is proposing is inadequate — it’s not far-reaching enough, it won’t allow for historical allegations,” she said.
“Helen’s is a great start but it needs to be expanded — finding the truth should be our main priority.”
For more in-depth responses, including from candidates Grant Abraham and Melissa Bannister, head online to thechronicle.com.au.