Tasmanian government ordered to speed up integrity informs after motion passed in parliament

State parliament has ordered the government to enact crucial delayed reforms by the end of the year, with Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner saying they were “long-overdue”.

Andrew Jenner, Jacqui Lambie Network member for Lyons. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Parliament has demanded the government enact long-delayed changes to integrity laws by the end of this year.

Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner moved a motion in state parliament on Wednesday night, calling on the government to implement the 40 outstanding recommendations of the a review of the Integrity Commission act conducted by former Supreme Court Justice William Cox in 2016.

The motion requires the government to report its progress to parliament by September.

Mr Jenner said it was about time.

Attorney-General Guy Barnett. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Nearly ten years after the Cox Review was released, we finally have a clear timeline for when the government will implement the majority of its recommendations,” he said.

“This marks a long-overdue step toward giving Tasmania an Integrity Commission with the powers and resources it needs, and that the public expects.”

The government supported the motion, Attorney-General Guy Barnett explained that some of the reforms were complex and technical and required up to 40 amendments to existing legislation.

Green Integrity spokeswoman Cassy O’Connor MLC said the government was now on notice.

“It is positive to see some movement on giving the Integrity Commission the fangs it needs to do its job,” she said.

Cassy O'Connor, Greens member for Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It’s been nine years and one hollow promise after another from the Liberals since former Justice William Cox delivered his recommendations for reform.

“This heel-dragging, along with the continual underfunding of the Commission, points to a government that doesn’t want a strong integrity watchdog. Little wonder, given their culture of secrecy and dishonesty.”

Shadow Attorney-General Ella Haddad said the Integrity Commission - so important for maintaining public faith in public institutions - had been described as toothless and powerless.

“Faith in politicians, in our profession, is at an all-time low,” she said.

“We are rated below the trustworthiness of used car salesmen. I have met some very honest used car salesmen. Again, it is not a slight on that industry.

Ella Haddad, Labor member for Clark. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

‘People do not have faith in us anymore and it is our job to show them that they can and that they should.

“Part of that means properly and robustly funding and providing the jurisdiction that is needed to bodies like the Integrity Commission.”

In February, the Liberal minority government abandoned plans to hold an independent review to “beef-up” the powers of the Integrity Commission that was part of their deal with the Lambies.

Originally published as Tasmanian government ordered to speed up integrity informs after motion passed in parliament