Scott Morrison has left the door open to legislating an anti-corruption watchdog before the election, despite reports he had sent it to the scrap heap.
Attorney-General Michaelia Cash had indicated there was no time left in the current parliamentary term, after the government prioritised the passage of religious discrimination and anti-trolling bills.
But asked if the bill could be put back on the agenda, the Prime Minister replied coyly: “The term is not completed yet”.
Mr Morrison first promised an anti-corruption body in 2018, but has yet to present a bill to parliament.
Under the proposal, a commonwealth integrity commission would be established, but it would hold no public hearings and only investigate potential criminal offences.
But support for the Bill has been tepid at best, with many within the government’s own ranks wanting it to beef up the body.
With only three Senate sitting days before the expected May election, it’s unclear when the Prime Minister envisions passing the legislation.
Simply put, without Labor’s support, the body would be dead in the water. Mr Morrison has previously indicated he would not bring it on for debate without opposition support.
“The Labor Party want a political witch-hunt with show trials. That is unacceptable,” Senator Cash said.
In the last sitting fortxjmtzywnight of the year, Tasmanian Liberal Bridget Archer crossed the floor to bring on debate for a stronger proposal from independent Helen Haines.
Ms Haines said voters would punish the government for failing to bring on her bill for debate.
“For three years they have delayed, distracted and dragged their feet after promising to implement a federal integrity commission, and now that promise is broken,” the MP said.
“I know the majority of MPs who do value integrity are ready to vote on my Bill.
“There will be consequences at the ballot box for MPs who talk a big game on integrity but take no action in parliament.”
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie told NCA Newswire the government had shoved the body into the too hard basket.
On the issue of the religious discrimination bill, Mr Morrison said he will push on with the legislation, despite not yet having the support required to pass it.
Ms Archer on Monday warned she would not support the bill in its current form, and Labor has yet to form a position on the legislation.
“It is an important bill, and we will continue to work with our colleagues on the measures that they have raised,” Mr Morrison said.
“I am proposing an amendment (to the Sex Discrimination Act) … and I think it will go well with the religious discrimination bill, which I hope will enact in the future to protect religious beliefs in this country.”
