House debates Questions without Notice

Commonwealth Integrity Commission

Wednesday, 1 December 2021 House of Representatives

Mark Dreyfus

Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General

2:43 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. Last night, Senator Fierravanti-Wells told the Senate:

… those who resist the introduction of an effective federal integrity body raise people's curiosity. One has to ask the question: are they conflicted? Why are they resisting the implementation of such a body?

What conflicts are preventing the Prime Minister establishing an effective anticorruption commission?

Scott Morrison

Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister

2:44 pm

None. I have here our bill.

An honourable member: Table it.

I will. There are around 350 pages here of a detailed, well-designed Commonwealth Integrity Commission. There's $150 million which has been put aside in the budget, through the budget process, to ensure that that can be implemented. We have done the work to ensure that an effective Integrity Commission can be implemented in this country.

There is only one obstacle to that being passed in this parliament—the Labor Party. The Labor Party don't support this model. They don't want this model. They want to be able to turn these matters into some sort of kangaroo court that can be used for politicking and gameplaying. The shadow Attorney-General, on nine occasions, has frivolously referred matters and wasted the time of the Australian Federal Police, and has been dismissed. I do not take the proposal from those opposite, which is only two pages long and consists of a couple of bullet points, as any serious proposal or intention. If you wish to support a serious proposal, here it is. I table it for members of the House.

Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition

The opposition will be pleased to grant leave—

Andrew Wallace

Andrew Wallace Speaker

Leader of the Opposition, is this on a point of order?

Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition

I'm offering leave to the Prime Minister to introduce the legislation. We can debate it now!

Andrew Wallace

Andrew Wallace Speaker

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The government is not seeking leave.