Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been grilled about introducing a national anti-corruption commission before rubbishing Labor’s plan as “two-page fluff”.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese on Friday announced his party would legislate a National Anti-Corruption Commission by the end of the year if elected.
But when quizzed on the news Mr Morrison questioned the validity of Labor’s plan, saying it was a “stark contrast” to the Liberal’s policy and Mr Albanese “hasn’t done his homework”.
“There is a detailed plan, it is detailed legislation, over 300 pages in length,” Mr Morrison said.
“Labor’s plan for an integrity commission is a two-page fluff sheet so we have a very serious policy and we are putting that to the election.
“It’s a two-page fluff sheet versus over 300 detailed pages of legislation.”
Mr Morrison said Labor has had three years to come up with a bill or legislation, saying Mr Albanese “hasn’t got across his brief on this”.
“If Anthony Albanese says he’s going to introduce legislation, well what is it? I know what my legislation is, I have no idea what his legislation is,” he said.
“This bloke just doesn’t do the work.”
Mr Morrison was grilled on Saturday over his government’s own failure to implement a national integrity commission and introduce legislation to parliament, after it was a 2019 election promise.
When asked why Labor should vote for him after he did not establish the commission following a whole term in office, he said “(if) we win this election Labor should support my policy”.
Mr Morrison also made it clear their policy would not be modelled after the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), criticising the role it played in Gladys Berejiklian resigning as Premier after her relationship with MP Daryl Maguire.
“You know I’m very critical of some of the ICACs, particularly in NSW, which tended to focus on trying to run (out) one of the best Premier’s we’ve seen in our state … she got run off the rails by a campaign focusing on who her boyfriend was,” Mr Morrison said.
“The model in NSW is not a model I would support federally.
“I think what we need is a proper integrity commission that is driven by the processes of the rule of law. That doesn’t seek to judge people before they’re able to have their matters properly considered.”
It comes after Mr Albanese said a national anti-corruption commission would be a “first priority” if he is elected.
He also accused Mr Morrison of wasting three years himself failing to deliver the commission.
“Mr Morrison has delayed and obfuscated for over three years and then this week it became clear he has absolutely no intention of honouring his promise to deliver a national anti-corruption commission at all,” Mr Albanese said.
“So the question for Mr Morrison is – why do you fear an anti-corruption commission? What is it you're afraid they will find?”
