It’s been a dark week for integrity in politics — even for a government that openly despises transparency.
First the Coalition trashed a longstanding Parliamentary norm to vote against its own speaker’s recommendation for an investigation into former attorney-general Christian Porter’s donors. Then the PM dismissed an effort by independent MP Helen Haines to debate legislation that would introduce an integrity commission with teeth.
Now Haines says Porter could have been referred to the Privileges Committee had the government allowed crossbenchers to vote remotely — something the leader of the House Peter Dutton has refused to do.
“Mr Dutton is effectively blocking this opportunity … and using COVID travel restrictions as an
excuse,” she said. “It is totally unacceptable and an affront to our democracy.”
But salvation for Australia’s democracy is still possible.
Haines’ integrity commission bill is not dead yet, and represents a much tougher body than the government’s proposed one — one that would actually hold ministers to account, and deliver the kind of shock and awe of NSW ICAC.
Haines is now meeting with a handful of Coalition MPs with the hope of convincing them to cross the floor and support her proposal. This would force a debate on the issue and a vote on legislation — against the government’s wishes.
Here are some of the MPs she’s meeting with, in case you’d like to give them a call and discuss the need for an integrity body that actually holds the government to account.
Celia Hammond
Electoral office: (08) 9388 0288
Celia Hammond, who represents the WA seat of Curtin, not far from Christian Porter’s seat of Pearce, has said she is in favour of an integrity commission that is stronger than the government’s dud. She revealed last week she would support public hearings and was open to discussing changes to the bill with Labor and the crossbench. You might want to call and see just how strong her convictions are.
Dave Sharma
Electoral office: (02) 9327 3988
Wentworth MP Dave Sharma, who is facing pressure from a “Voices Of” campaign, has cautiously called for a stronger integrity commission — one that has slightly broader remits and does not differentiate between law enforcement, politicians and other public servants.
He reportedly met with Haines on Tuesday, but his office was zip on the discussions so far. He might, however, be open to hearing from members of his electorate or the public about the need for a strong integrity body.
Katie Allen
Electoral office: (03) 9822 4422
Katie Allen, member for the affluent inner-Melbourne seat of Higgins, has also called for a federal integrity commission “with teeth”. What this means is anyone’s guess really. But the Liberal stronghold seat is facing a new threat from the Greens after changes to her electoral boundary. Allen met with Haines on Wednesday and said she had an “excellent discussion” about what a different kind of integrity commission might achieve.
“It would be great to see an appropriate and effective integrity commission gain multi-partisan support to deliver a commission that balances improving trust in government with preventing it being used as a political weapon against public figures,” she told Crikey.
Bridget Archer
Electoral office: (03) 6334 7033
Tasmanian MP and member for Bass Bridget Archer has long been on the record about her support for a “robust” integrity commission. What this means is not exactly clear. But she told Crikey she has had a number of discussions with Haines over the past year.
“I believe there must be a willingness to truly put the politics aside and work together in the interests of all Australians on this issue,” she said.
Strong words, but does she care enough about it to cross the floor? Maybe give her office a ring and find out.
Have you contacted your MP about a federal ICAC? Let us know your thoughts by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name if you would like to be considered for publication in Crikey‘s Your Say column. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.”
Thanks for this info. The list is remarkable for its brevity; methinks it says much about ethics in federal politics.
The person in Dr Allen’s office was also interested in what I said, but the bloke in Dave Sharma’s office just said I should talk to my local MHR.
I phoned all 4 offices, the people to whom I spoke in Ms Archer’s and Ms Hammond’s offices were appreciative when I pointed out that a strong Integrity Commission that acts against corrupt behaviour actually frees politicians from having to engage in dirty tricks to stay competitive, and therefore allows them to act in the public interest which is why they eneter politics in the first place.
The person in Dr Allen’s office was also interested in what I said, but the bloke in Dave Sharma’s office just said I should talk to my local MHR.
Email dave.sharma.mp@aph.gov.au Someone in is office will get it and, even if they don’t pass it on, if they’re doing their job properly they will be keeping a count of emails to measure the strength of community sentiment.
Good for you David for doing something instead of just complaining about them.
The day that Porter denied the allegations against him I emailed his office saying “just leave you are finished”.
As for the push back in Sharma’s office, it could be because there is a cloud over him. It is alleged that he and his wife bought shares in CSL a few days after a cabinet meeting to discuss the contract for supply of AstraZeneca vaccine.
Thanks for the feedback David.
I have rung everyone of those in the list and said i have never in my years seen as corrupt, immoral as the current mob. I was polite as it was only ppl who work in the offices .
In the main they took on board what i had to say and have said that they are compiling a list of ppl who wish for a Federal ICAC
The guy in Vuctoria said there is a submission before Parliament allowing for a ICAC investigation, ” should be submitted before XMAS” ( convenient)
I mentuoned about Porte and he said that it was being pursued by a inquiry.
So yeah I did my bit @ calling.
what the government truly wants is a integrity commission that is “robust” so it looks mean and nasty and “with teeth” that are dentures so it can remove them any time it wants so then they bark at it it will run the other way, one must seem to being doing the right thing to keep the voting public on side.
Like a stuffed tiger?
The other issue which no one is talking about is the ability of the government of the day to stack the commission with it lackeys.