ACTU calls for independent commission to investigate corruption at all levels

MAJOR corporations and political parties could be investigated for corruption under a push to establish a new national watchdog launched today.

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MAJOR corporations and political parties could be investigated for corruption under a push to establish a new national watchdog launched today by the nation’s peak union body.

As it faces corruption claims of its own, the ACTU has called for an independent commission to unearth dodgy politicians, businesspeople and even sporting codes.

Besieged by damning findings from the Trade Union Royal Commission and moves to re-establish the Australian Building and Construction Commission, the ACTU has decided to double down.

Writing exclusively in The Daily Telegraph, ACTU secretary Dave Oliver said it was unfair unions were singled out for punishment when corruption was everywhere.

“Whether it be allegations of corruption in the Commonwealth Bank or the NSW Liberal Party, which resulted in 10 MPs resigning from the party, or corruption in our sports bodies, it seems to be everywhere we look,” he said.

“I suspect if you set up a Royal Commission into any part of our society, you might find examples of outrageous and terrible behaviour. Imagine what you might find in a Royal Commission into political parties, the finance sector or property development.”

Mr Oliver said his proposal for a new body was based on the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption.

His vision extends beyond the powers of ICAC, which is authorised only to investigate and make findings against public officials or institutions.

The ACTU chief says businesses and “social institutions” should also be able to be investigated by the new body.

“We need a permanent, independent national body to investigate allegations of corruption across the board, wherever it hides,” he said.

“If we had a strong independent national corruption watchdog which was empowered to investigate sporting bodies we may not have seen some of the scandals we have.”

As well as sports, Mr Oliver singled out the banking sector as an area where corruption had been found.

“I’m appalled by the behaviour of rogue individuals in some labour organisations just as I’m appalled at what has happened in the banking sector and the NSW Liberal Party.

“ The question for Malcolm Turnbull is whether he is can put the political approach of his predecessor behind him and take a wider view of the need to stamp out corruption across the board,” he said.