Helen Haines says she wants Anthony Albanese to send ICAC to parliamentary review

One of the main players behind the push for a federal integrity commission has spelled out her demands.

A long awaited corruption watchdog could undergo a parliamentary review if the crossbench has its way.

Independent MP Helen Haines revealed on Friday she had pitched a joint select committee which would oversee the architecture of the proposed integrity commission.

Dr Haines has been a leading voice for a federal ICAC and has proposed she act as the committee’s co-chair.

“I had a conversation with the Attorney-General a few days after the election and I was reassured by him that he wishes to work very closely with me and other members of the crossbench to make sure that we get the integrity commission that is fit for purpose,” Dr Haines told ABC RN.

Dr Haines has been one of the leading voices driving the call for an ICAC. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“One of the things I’ve put forward is that a joint select committee be established and that I would have the opportunity to be the co-chair of that, to make sure that I can feel confident and satisfied in the legislation that will ultimately be put to parliament.

“He was very open to that suggestion.”

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus confirmed earlier this week work on the key election promise had already begun.

The government aims to legislate the watchdog by year’s end, with the goal for it to be operational by mid-2023.

It will build upon legislation drafted by Dr Haines, and elements from state and territory commissions.

The Attorney-General confirmed work was underway. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Dr Haines said she would withhold judgment on the Labor model until she has sighted it.

But she did lay out her list of demands. Dr Haines wants the government to stand by a commitment to allow the body to hold public hearings and have retrospective powers.

“One of the scaremongering techniques that we heard a lot from the previous government was that every element of an integrity commission would be public and therefore it could potentially publicise vexatious referrals,” she said.

“Any integrity commission worth its salt would not be doing that.”

Originally published as Helen Haines says she wants Anthony Albanese to send ICAC to parliamentary review