Thank you for SIGNING and SHARING. This is a question that MUST be asked of Labor! IF they are SO COMMITTED to a strong, independent Federal ICAC - WHY didn't THEY PROTEST LOUDLY to EVERY media organisation on May 25 when Dr. Haines' Federal Integrity Commission was REMOVED from the House of Representatives notice papers?
Because in these Covid19 times - it is ONLY the two major parties whose opinions are being ASKED by the media!
So NO media organisation ASKED Helen Haines, Zali Steggall, Rebekah Sharkie, Adam Bandt, Andrew Wilkie, Larissa Waters, Bob Katter or ANY of the other cross benchers how angry THEY were over Haine's Bill's demise.
Nor did a SINGLE mainstream media organisation even bring it to OUR attention!
In fact, Labor - who WANTS us to BELIEVE they champion anti-corruption legislation VOTED WITH the Government only EIGHT MONTHS ago to WEAKEN TRANSPARENCY laws made by OUR States!
See Michael West's article attached to this update from 6th November 2020.
"While Australians were distracted last week by Melbourne’s lockdown ending and the final days of the Queensland and United States elections, the two major parties joined forces in federal parliament to weaken political donations laws.
A new provision they passed allows property developers to ignore state laws banning them from making political donations where the donation is “for federal purposes”. This measure ensures federal laws override state anti-corruption laws, making it easier for federal politicians to accept secret donations from property developers."
Does THAT sound like a party COMMITTED to the principles they espouse in their National Platform on their OWN web-site?
"The corruption, deceit and ever-growing culture of secrecy that are degrading our democracy must end. A Labor government will listen to the Australian people, respect the truth and show strong moral and ethical leadership.
7. Labor will make government open and accountable, and will have no tolerance for corruption. Labor will:
a. establish a powerful, independent and transparent National Integrity Commission as part of a broad national anti-corruption plan;
b. improve whistle-blower protections for the public sector and extend them to the private sector;
c. strengthen freedom of information laws and foster compliance throughout the government;
d. ensure that the Australian National Audit Office is appropriately resourced to carry out its important role providing performance audits and other independent oversight of Australian Government expenditure;
e. enforce the Code of Conduct for ministers and their staff to ensure they uphold clear standards relating to their behaviour; and
f. at all times, uphold and defend the rule of law.
8. Labor will always protect Australia’s democratic processes and institutions from foreign interference."
2021-alp-national-platform-final-endorsed-platform.pdf
Yet only 8 months ago they VOTED AGAINST strong laws to STOP Federal Politicians taking donations from Property Developers - many of whom Australians KNOW are often backed by foreign investors!
How does that SCREAM 'anti-corruption'?
I am not a Labor or Greens member but freely admit to being on the left spectrum when it comes to politics. But while I agree with much of Labor's platform - I have a healthy skepticism to Labor's commitment to ANY tough, Federal ICAC legislation!
I BASE this on Labor's ACTIONS - not its comforting words!
When Labor was last in Government in 2010-2013 they had TWO chances to enact a Federal ICAC - their government partners at the time, the Greens - introduced TWO Bills for an Integrity Commission. One by Bob Brown (the Bill was left to lapse like Dr Haine's Bill) and the other by Adam Bandt which was sent to a bi-partisan Labor and Liberal ONLY Committee to 'investigate' the proposal for a Federal ICAC.
And 'strangely' enough they were NOT supportive!
Australia must remember Anthony Albanese was Julia Gillard's Manager of Government business at the time!
While Labor has voted FOR Larissa Water's National Integrity Commission Bill in the Senate - the Bill was STILL sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights (consisting of Labor and Liberal members [Chaired by a NP member] with one token Green) where they were SCATHING about the possible 'breaches' of Politician's 'Human Rights' by holding OPEN & public hearings!
Helen Haines' Bill was sent to be considered by the Senate Scrutiny Committee (consisting once again of LNP/ALP members and one 'token' Green) 20/11/2020: Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 16 of 2020 where Senators were equally scathing of Haine's Bill but rather than suggesting AMENDMENTS TO the Bill that would IMPROVE it - basically rejected it on concerns about warrants, losing their passports and answering questions at PUBLIC hearings. (Remember BOTH major parties are concerned about public hearings and in SA the Labor Government that IMPLEMENTED SACAT disallowed public hearings - which surprisingly has recently been CHANGED by Steven Marshall's LIBERAL Government!)
While some retired judges support Labor's ICAC proposal as Labor states it - reading between the lines SOME have concerns that Labor's ICAC proposal may NOT be as strong as Labor are saying
Federal election 2019: Judges side with Labor on Federal ICAC (afr.com)
"Mr Whealy said Labor’s seven design principles were “by no means identical with ours”.
“But they were sufficiently strong as to satisfy us that the ALP model, if properly structured, would operate effectively ...
“Our view is that the power to hold public hearings, while sparingly to be exercised, is essential for the uncovering of serious corruption in the public sphere.”
Albanese has not hidden the fact he is NOT a fan of Public hearings
Senior Labor figures including Anthony Albanese argued against anti-corruption watchdog (smh.com.au)
So is Albanese saying that a politician's private life having a relationship with a CORRUPT politician or influencer DOESN'T affect their ability to be an ETHICAL leader?
He was definitely at odds with the recently DEPOSED NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay on this.
What do Australians think?
A major concern with Labor's promise of a strong Federal ICAC in my view - has been Albanese's PUBLIC GOADING of Morrison to INTRODUCE Porter's Clayton's ICAC
Where's our federal ICAC, Labor asks?
which continued even in late 2020 even though they KNOW the GOVT'S ICAC is NOT the sort of ICAC Australians want!
Labor pushes for federal ICAC - MacroBusiness
Is that 'code' to say "introduce it and we'll VOTE for it"??
I guess Australia will have to wait and see.. I fully expect the LNP WILL introduce their Claytons ICAC BEFORE the next election!
How can they afford NOT to?