NSW election 2023: Independents focus on integrity for any deal with Dominic Perrottet or Chris Minns

A suite of anti-corruption measures will be the price Dominic Perrottet or Chris Minns has to pay for the support of NSW crossbenchers in a minority government.

Alex Greenwich says the 1991 NSW crossbench’s achievements set a ‘good model’ for current independent MPs. Picture: Jane Dempster

A suite of anti-corruption measures will be the price that NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet or Opposition Leader Chris Minns has to pay to gain the support of the NSW crossbenchers in the event of a minority government.

Independent MPs Alex Greenwich, Greg Piper and Joe McGirr all said strengthening the integrity of government would be a priority for them in the likelihood of a hung parliament, saying they would be inspired by the memorandum of understanding foisted upon the Nick Greiner Liberal government in 1991.

Integrity measures are part of a raft of measures NSW independents will be looking for – along with improving regional health and educational outcomes, addressing youth crime, and major investments in social housing – in exchange for their support in the event of a hung parliament after the state election on March 25.

While not part of the 1991 charter of reform, Mr Greiner was ultimately brought down by one of his own anti-corruption measures – the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, a body he established in 1988 – when he was forced to ­resign as premier after fronting the anti-­corruption watchdog.

Speaking to The Australian, Mr Greenwich said the 1991 crossbench’s achievements set a “good model” for current independent MPs, listing proper independent funding for the state’s corruption watchdog and improving the auditor-general’s oversight as areas of potential reform.

“If neither major party is able to capture the imagination of the electorate, that is because they have not put forward and have not inspired the electorate,” the Sydney MP said.

“A minority government provides the crossbench with the opportunity to do those things.

“As (the crossbench) did in the early 1990s, it provides us with an opportunity to return faith in the parliament.”

The 1991 Charter of Reform sought to address the perceived imbalance between parliament and the executive government, including the implementation of four-year fixed parliamentary terms, electoral funding, strengthening freedom of information laws, and enhancing the role of statutory bodies such as the ombudsman and auditor-general.

A Newspoll published in The Australian on Monday revealed a tightening of the margin between the Coalition and Labor less than one month out from the March 25 state election, with Mr Perrottet’s personal satisfaction rating and lead as preferred premier over Labor’s Mr Minns firming.

Under Labor’s projected two-party-preferred 52-48 lead, neither party would be able to form a majority, forcing negotiations with the crossbench for the first time in more than 30 years.

Mr Piper, the member for Lake Macquarie, agreed that the 1991 integrity measures had either been eroded or circumnavigated over the past three decades, saying crossbench efforts to reinforce these structures would be a “given” if independents were ­offered the opportunity.

Greg Piper says there are too many opportunities for state funds to be mismanaged.

“Of course we need higher standards, the public expects it,” he said. “Is everything as strong as we would like? No, it’s not. There needs to be a revisiting of integrity measures that go around the governing of the state and the use of public funds. What that will be exactly, I can’t say.”

After the audit office slammed the NSW government’s distribution of Black Summer bushfire recovery grants, Mr Piper said under the current framework there were too many opportunities for state funds to be mismanaged, identifying the area as in need of reform.

Dr McGirr, the member for Wagga Wagga, said he would continue to work with Mr Greenwich and Mr Piper to push the government to reinforce existing accountability and transparency measures, but noted the specifics of what any reforms may look like remained to be determined.

“I would be very keen to continue to improve the processes, transparency and integrity of parliament,” Dr McGirr said.

He said while it was self-evident he had worked successfully with Mr Greenwich and Mr Piper over the last term of parliament, he was eager to dispel any notion they would form a “bloc” or “coalition” in the event of a hung parliament.

Former Liberal but now independent Kiama MP Gareth Ward said while he would be principally focused on securing outcomes for his local community if neither party could form a majority, he would also “work with my independent colleagues to ensure greater transparency and accountability”.