Anthony Albanese has said the day marks a “win for honesty and trust” as the legislation to establish Australia’s first National Anti-Corruption Commission becomes law.
The Bill to establish the federal integrity watchdog to investigate serious or systemic corrupt conduct in the public sector passed the House of Representatives to applause from the chamber on Wednesday.
Speaking in the lower house before the Bill was introduced for the final time, the Prime Minister said the government and parliament had taken an “important step” towards rebuilding trust in democracy.
Mr Albanese thanked independent MP Helen Haines for her work in championing an integrity commission and the other members of parliament who had contributed to Labor’s Bill.
“The co-operation has given us a stronger better and more permanent body,” Mr Albanese said.
“This legislation is a reminder that the best way to restore hope and trust in parliament, is to demonstrate that parliament can function better.”
The legislation passed the Senate on Tuesday evening with one crossbench amendment, meaning it had to return to the House of Representatives on Wednesday so that amendment could be voted on.
The Greens secured support from the Coalition in the upper house for an amendment to expand the powers of the independent inspector that will oversee the NACC.
The government supported the amendment in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
More to come