[Greens-Media] Bob Brown - Greens launch bid for National Anti-Corruption and Integrity Commission

[Kelly, Russell (Sen B. Brown)]

4 August 2009

Greens launch bid for National Anti-Corruption and Integrity Commission

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown today released a detailed
proposal for the establishment of a new National Anti-Corruption and
Integrity Commission.

"The level of public disquiet about political corruption around the
country is rising, and Canberra should set the lead on proper standards
for saying no to corruption," Senator Brown said.

"There is no comprehensive independent anti-corruption watchdog in the
Federal sphere."

"With Prime Minister Rudd recently supporting tougher action on
political donations - and both Premier Bligh in Queensland and Premier
Rann in South Australia calling for Federal leadership to curb
corruption - it is time for action."

"Fighting political corruption should begin in Canberra - and I urge the
Prime Minister and Opposition leader to join the Greens and make this a
tri-partisan effort to prevent corruption nationally."

Senator Brown said the Greens supported an end to all corporate and
union donations with a $1000 cap on individual donations, and proposed a
national ban on the payment of so-called 'success fees' to lobbyists.

Under the Australian Greens' proposal:
*	A National Anti-Corruption and Integrity Commission (NAIC) would
be formed by expanding the role of the existing Australian Commission
for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) to take in Federal matters beyond
ACLEI's current focus on the Australian Federal Police.
*	Established by Federal legislation, NAIC would have full powers
of a standing Royal Commission to conduct public and private hearings
and summon any person or agency to produce documents and appear before
the Commission.
*	NAIC's role would be to detect, investigate and prevent
corruption across all Commonwealth Departments and agencies and the
activities of Federal Parliament, Federal Parliamentarians, and Federal
law enforcement agencies. These are powers similar to those of
state-based anti-corruption watchdogs.
*	NAIC would have increased funding to ensure it had appropriate
staff and resources to properly carry out its expanded role.
*	It would have the ability to investigate matters referred to it
by the responsible Minister, MPs and public servants, and members of the
public as determined by the NAIC Commissioner.
*	NAIC would have an educative role for Federal parliamentarians,
officials and Federal law-enforcement agencies, including provision of
ethical advice.
*	The Commissioner would be appointed for five years, and report
directly to Parliament.

Further information: Russell Kelly 0438376082 ends