Labor’s national anticorruption commission laws delayed after Queen’s death

The Queen’s death has cast doubt on the time frame in which Anthony Albanese can deliver a cornerstone election promise.

A cornerstone promise of Anthony Albanese’s election campaign will be delayed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Labor was set to introduce legislation to establish a federal integrity watchdog to parliament next week in what would have been the second half of the September sitting fortnight.

But those plans will have to be put on hold given Australia’s parliament will be suspended for at least 15 days after the British monarch’s death.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the rest of Labor were hoping the anticorruption commission Bill would pass through parliament by the end of the year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The Prime Minister confirmed the adjournment on Friday morning after the Queen died overnight at the age of 96.

“Our parliament was due to sit next week, and then there was a break-up until the budget sitting in October,” Mr Albanese told Adelaide radio station FIVEaa.

“So, certainly the parliament won’t be sitting next week, and we’ll have discussions about perhaps the options that we have or returning for a commemoration of Her Majesty and her contribution to Australia and the commonwealth.”

The government is understood to be considering whether or not to add additional sitting days to this year’s parliamentary calendar to make up for lost time.

The suspension has cast some doubt on whether the Albanese government can meet its goal of having the anticorruption commission Bill become law by the end of the year.

The Albanese government has indicated it wants the National Anticorruption Commission — which will investigate cases of corrupt conduct in government and the public sector — to be up and running by mid-2023.

A spokesman for Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said he couldn’t comment until he knew what parliament’s plans were.

Mr Dreyfus this week flagged possible changes to public interest disclosure laws to add safeguards for whistleblowers, saying the government was considering installing a commissioner to oversee their protection.

Queen Elizabeth II died overnight on Thursday at the age of 96. Picture: Max Mumby/Getty Images

“Frameworks to protect whistleblowers are critical to supporting integrity and the rule of law,” Mr Dreyfus told parliament on Wednesday.

“Whether or not it goes to a whistleblower protection commissioner is something that the government is still considering.”

Australia’s parliamentary suspension has prompted anger from some people who are questioning the lengthy hiatus, especially considering the UK parliament will only adjourn for 10 days.

Mr Albanese has defended the suspension, saying it was “out of respect” for the Queen.

“These protocols have been in place for some time,” Mr Albanese told ABC Radio.

The normal business of the government will continue and meetings with the prime minister’s department have already taken place to make sure appropriate protocols are followed, he said.