Greens threaten to refer Morrison ‘pork barrelling’ to national anti-corruption commission

The Greens are vowing to refer pork-barrelling scandals to the national anti-corruption commission after legislation passed federal parliament with unanimous support.

David Shoebridge says ‘carparks should go where we need carparks, not where politicians need votes’. Picture: Martin Ollman

The Greens are vowing to refer pork-barrelling scandals to the national anti-corruption commission after legislation giving the body extraordinary powers to investigate serious and systemic corruption passed federal parliament with unanimous support.

Anthony Albanese declared its passage “represents an end to rorting and waste” after legislation cleared the final hurdle on Wednesday, sailing through the House of Representatives just two months after being introduced.

Amid criticism of the NACC’s threshold to hold public hearings, which will be possible under “exceptional circumstances” and where it’s in the public interest, the Prime Minister told parliament the body would help rebuild trust in government.

“The best way to make democracy stronger is to make government and the parliament work better,” Mr Albanese said.

“That is one of the compelling reasons we need a national anti-corruption commission. It represents an end to rorting and waste. It represents dedication and real accountability and delivery. It shows that our government is doing what we always said we would do and that is to hold itself to a higher standard.”

Following warnings from Peter Dutton and Coalition MPs against weaponising the NACC, Greens justice spokesman David Shoebridge confirmed his office was compiling lists of what to refer to the body.

Senator Shoebridge pointed to the so-called carparks affair under the Morrison government, saying “carparks should go where we need carparks, not where politicians need votes”.

Asked whether he would refer that affair to the NACC, Senator Shoebridge refused to answer.

“I don’t think we’re the only office who’s starting a list on referrals to the NACC,” he said.

“We were assured by the government that it’s open to (pork barrelling) being considered in these terms of reference and I think we can be certain that in the first few months of this NACC operating, whether or not pork barrelling can be found to be corrupt and whether or not we can get that scourge of pork barrelling out of the political system will be some of the initial tests.”

Crossbench MPs who pushed for the NACC said they hoped the level of scrutiny it had over the federal public sector would act as a floor, and not a ceiling, as they voiced disappointment most of their amendments were voted down.

“I am disappointed that my amendments which would have removed the exceptional circumstances clause for public hearings, and further strengthened the independence and powers of the NACC, were not agreed to by the major parties,” independent Victorian MP Helen Haines said.

“But overall, this is good legislation and I wish the future NACC every success.”

Mr Albanese and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus noted the search for the first commissioner was already underway and outlined a number of its functions, including an ability to commence inquiries on its own initiative or in response to referrals. It will also have retrospective investigatory powers.

“Australians waited years for the former government to implement their pledge for a commonwealth integrity commission. They never even introduced a bill. This is a historic day for our parliament, and the nation,” they said.