Federal Government resists Senators’ push for federal ICAC as well as Australian Building and Construction Commission

THE Federal Government is resisting calls from crossbench senators for a national anti-corruption watchdog to be established in addition the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

Independent Senator for South Australia Nick Xenophon speaking at a press conference, Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

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THE Federal Government is resisting calls from crossbench senators for a national anti-corruption watchdog to be established in addition the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

Despite Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s threat to call a July 2 double dissolution election unless they toe the line, crossbenchers are demanding changes to the ABCC Bill, which is designed to wipe out corrupt behaviour by building unions.

Several have suggested that a broader federal anti-corruption commission be established.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, who is considering backing the ABCC Bill, on Tuesday said a federal ICAC and improved whistleblower protections should also be considered.

“I think we need to deal with the ABCC discretely but we also need to deal with issues in respect of corruption more broadly, whistleblower protection,” Senator Xenophon said.

“Also, it’s not just the construction unions that are the issue — not so long ago the Health Services Union which embroiled in corruption scandals.’’

Independent Senator for South Australia Nick Xenophon.

Attorney-General George Brandis said the need for the ABCC should be treated separately to debates about whether Australia should have a federal ICAC.

“That is, as I say, a different discussion,’’ Senator Brandis told ABC TV.

“I think if we broaden the discussion so widely, we lose the focus on the particular mischief that the ABCC bill is designed to address.

Mr Turnbull said it was possible the government would win the six Senate votes it needed to pass the ABCC bill, scuttling plans for a double dissolution poll on July 2.

“The Senate crossbench has been a bit mercurial at times, changeable,’’ Mr Turnbull told Melbourne radio 3AW.

“And so I don’t think you’ll know whether they will vote for this until the vote is called on, frankly.”

The only crossbencher to back the ABCC bill is South Australian Family First Senator Bob Day.

Family First on Tuesday announced that Senator Day’s chief-of-staff, Rikki Lambert, would run for the Senate at the next election.

Mr Lambert said Family First expected to receive the support of many conservative voters who were disappointed by the direction the government had headed in since Mr Turnbull became Prime Minister.

Senator Xenophon said his Nick Xenophon Team party was yet to decide how it would direct preferences in two key Liberal seats.

The NXT is running candidates in all South Australian lower house electorates, including Industry Minister Christopher Pyne’s seat of Sturt and former minister Jamie Briggs’ seat of Mayo.

“I’m waiting to see a lot of things in terms of government commitments on a whole range of issues,’’ Senator Xenophon said.

Liberal and Labor governments had both failed to sign contracts for new shipbuilding work in SA, Senator Xenophon said.

“When it comes to the issue of shipbuilding, it’s Groundhog Day,’’ he said.