Riverina candidates’ clash over Federal ICAC at election forum

What form a national corruption watchdog should take led to fiery debate between Riverina candidates at an election forum in Gundagai on Thursday.

The establishment of a Federal Independent Commission Against Corruption was a hot topic at the final election forum for candidates in the seat of the Riverina on Thursday night.

The forum, hosted by ABC Riverina, was a final opportunity for the major parties to discuss their policies both locally and nationally, with Labor’s Mark Jeffreson, National’s Michael McCormack and Green’s Michael Organ the guests of honour.

Before the forum much had been made of the lack of representation of other candidates at the forum, with independent Darren Ciavarella and Dean McCrae from the Liberal democrats instead joining as part of the audience.

The forum covered a range of issues, but the three candidates opinions on a federal ICAC, and how it should be legislated, was the most hotly debated.

Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese have faced questioning during the election campaign about whether they will establish a Federal ICAC.

Both Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese have faced questioning during the election campaign about whether they will establish a Federal ICAC.

Greens candidate Michael Organ, who is pushing hard for a Federal ICAC, launched a scathing attack on the Morrison government.

“This government it is so corrupt, if we have a federal ICAC with teeth, it could help uncover the rorts that the government has been conducting,” Mr Organ said.

However incumbent Riverina MP, the Nationals’ Mr McCormack, took a more cautious approach to establishing a federal corruption watchdog.

“It will need further development, Scott Morrison has sent 300 pages of a proposed integrity commission for the parliament to pass which means ministers wouldn’t need to be brought up on small things,” Mr McCormack said.

Candidates at the final election forum for the seat of the Riverina hosted by ABC Riverina. Picture: Supplied

State ICACs have led to the resignation of state premiers, including former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Mr McCormack cited the example of the NSW ICAC investigation into Ms Berejiklian, stating that he didn’t want to see “faceless bureaucrats” controlling minister’s decisions and legislation.

“We have seen in the case of Gladys Berejiklian, that it was the faceless bureaucrats who were in part to blame for her resignation,” he said.

Mr McCormack said under the Labor plan for a Federal ICAC, slight disagreements between ministers may end up being forwarded for investigation as a form of political leverage.

“If a minister disagrees with something and under Labor’s ICAC, we could see ministers called up with no real corruption allegations and someone who has been in parliament for a long time knows once that you are smeared your public trust and integrity is gone,” he said.

Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: Supplied

However Mr Jeffreson backed Labor’s policy for a national corruption watchdog.

“We need an ICAC similar to NSW, to make sure the dirty laundry like the Gladys affair is not front page (news) but we need one that will uncover corruption and hold everyone to account,” he said.

Labor candidate for the Riverina Mark Jeffreson. Picture:Supplied

“We need one that will help in uncovering the corruption for all ministers - not just one used as a witch hunt but one that will hold all people to account.”