So say we:
Three quarters of voters say there is a need for democratic renewal in the form of a federal anti-corruption commission and a tougher code of conduct for MPs, as part of wider reforms that would also see a rejuvenated public sector return to service delivery.
However, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has played down the likelihood of establishing a federal anti-corruption commission, saying such bodies have mixed records at a state level and that there are already a range of corruption fighting bodies at the federal level.
The Centre for Policy Development has produced a discussion paper on democratic renewal and policy reform based on a survey of attitudes to democracy and government, and a roundtable of 30 eminent citizens.
Black Hole Malcolm made his usual charming noises:
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has for the first time suggested he is prepared to consider creating a federal anti-corruption watchdog.
Mr Turnbull said he is not yet persuaded the case has been made for such a body but that “the policy objective is zero tolerance, I take that very seriously”.
With all other parties in the Federal Parliament prepared to support such a body, Mr Turnbull’s government – which has thus far resisted calls from the crossbench, Greens and Labor – is the final obstacle.
Prepare to be dropped stone cold.
