[Greens-Media] Greens highlight need for national ICAC on International Anti-Corruption Day

[Jamie Parker]

Speaking on International Anti-Corruption Day, the Greens have called on both the Liberal and Labor parties to urgently support legislation for a national anti-corruption body in light of trust-destroying events in NSW politics.

"With public confidence at a low point and news of possible federal corruption, a national ICAC should be fast tracked," said Australian Greens spokesperson for Democracy Senator Lee Rhiannon.

"A national ICAC can be established quickly and easily. There can be no excuses from Tony Abbott and the Labor party.

"Revelations from the NSW ICAC throughout the year leave no room for the Labor and Coalition parties to hide.

"They cannot pretend that corrupt activity is limited only to New South Wales, or to one particular party.

"We need to take urgent action on this, and we can," said Senator Rhiannon.

"There is an ironic bi-partisanship from NSW Liberal and Labor parties in displays of corrupt behaviour from their MPs, yet they have refused to support a national ICAC," said Jamie Parker MP, Greens NSW spokesperson for Anti-Corruption.

"The NSW ICAC through its investigations and public inquiries has helped restore the community's confidence that corrupt activities will be exposed. Yet the determination of the older parties to carry on like MPs are a protected species shows they are stuck in the last century.

"Despite the talk of 'cleaning up politics', both NSW Labor and Liberal have failed to support progressive reforms put forward by the Greens. Australia's standing in international corruption rankings has suffered as a result.

"The Greens at all levels of government will continue to campaign for reforms that will improve our democracy and create a fairer society," said Mr Parker.

ENDS
For further comment from Senator Rhiannon or Jamie Parker MP, contact Lesa de Leau 0413 581 603