1,000 days of government inaction on federal anti-corruption commission

Today marks 1,000 days since the Morrison government committed to introduce a federal anti-corruption commission. To date there has been no movement on this reform, which would be a major step forward for democratic accountability and political integrity in Australia.

The Human Rights Law Centre, the Australian Democracy Network and the Australian Conservation Foundation — members of the #OurDemocracy campaign that is calling for reforms to strengthen Australian democracy — have criticised the Morrison government for dragging its heels on a federal integrity commission, which it promised to introduce in December 2018.

The Morrison government has been plagued by a series of scandals in the last two years alone, including the purchase of land owned by a Liberal party donor at more than ten times its value. The Prime Minister and a slew of his Ministers have also come under fire for sports rorts and the parking lot fund, where it’s been alleged that over half a billion dollars of public money was treated like it was the Coalition’s re-election fund and funnelled to key marginal seats.

Alice Drury, Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre:

“Corruption has a cost. Every dollar wasted on rorts is money that could have been spent housing the homeless and supporting people doing it tough through the pandemic.

“For 1,000 days, the Morrison government has dragged its heels on introducing a strong anti-corruption commission in Parliament. Enough is enough. Australians expect the government to make good on its promise and introduce a strong anti-corruption commission.”

Jolene Elberth, Democracy Campaigner at the Australian Conservation Foundation

“We entrust governments to make decisions on our behalf about precious public resources, but too often these decisions are opaque and distorted by powerful companies that are influencing government for their own gain.

"Our democracy rests on principles of transparency and accountability, but in the 1,000 days since it committed to a federal anti-corruption commission, we've seen the Morrison government repeatedly dodge accountability. The Australian people deserve better."

Saffron Zomer, Executive Director at the Australian Democracy Network

“With a strong federal integrity commission, Australians can have more confidence that their elected representatives are acting in the public interest, and not for their self-interest, their political donors, or mates. Improving trust in our political system is in everyone’s best interest.”

Media contact:
Michelle Bennett, HRLC: 0419 100 519, michelle.bennett@hrlc.org.au