2018-11-26
After ten years of pushing, the Greens are thrilled their motion calling on the Morrison Government to establish a national anti-corruption commission has now passed both houses of federal parliament. The motion, which was first moved by Greens spokesperson for democracy Senator Larissa Waters in the Senate on November 13, was then sent to the House for concurrence today.
Senator Waters said: “This was the first test for the Morrison minority government and they dodged a vote they knew they would lose by allowing this motion to go through.
“But now a clear signal has been sent that the Australian community and both houses of parliament want a federal anti-corruption body and the government needs to act.
“Talk is cheap. The AG spoke about ‘sober and cautious consideration’ of any legislation – the Greens have had a bill before parliament since 2010 and supported the introduction of Cathy McGowan MP’s bill today – there’s been plenty of time for that and now is the time to get on with it.
“If they continue to do nothing, they’re on a hiding to nowhere at the next election.”
Adam Bandt MP, Greens Co-Deputy Leader and Federal Member for Melbourne, who moved the motion in the lower house today, said:
“We are now in a power-sharing minority parliament and the government has to deal with issues that matter to the Australian people. The government can’t stonewall any longer.
“I am proud to have introduced the first bill for a federal corruption watchdog into the House back in 2012.
“A corruption watchdog’s time has come. If we act now, we could be on our way to having a national corruption watchdog by Christmas.”