Politics With Michelle Grattan: Independent Helen Haines Says The NACC Has Had 'Disappointing Start', And The Government Is Pork Barrelling
Date
11/6/2024 2:06:45 AM
Author:
Michelle Grattan
(MENAFN- The Conversation)
Trust in politicians is at an all-time low, not only in Australia but across the world. Now more than ever, people are demanding a higher standard for our elected officials.
The row over flight upgrades and the Qantas lounge has reinforced distrust.
So has the strong criticism of the head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Paul Brereton, in his conduct over referrals from the Robodebt royal commission. The Inspector of the NACC found Brereton, who had a conflict of interest because he knew one of the people, had not properly recused himself from the consideration of whether the NACC should investigate the referrals.
Independent MP Helen Haines, who holds the Victorian seat of Indi, has long focused on integrity issues, and she joined us on the podcast.
Haines, who is deputy chair of the parliamentary committee with oversight of the NACC, says the new body – which she strongly believes is surrounded by too much secrecy – has not started well:
Will that committee make a decision on whether Commissioner Brereton should be asked to resign?
On grant programs, Haines says the Albanese government is pork barrelling, just as the Coalition did:
When she is reminded one argument for a vote for an independent in her seat of Indi, when her predecessor Cathy McGowan ran, had been to make it more competitive in attracting promises, she says:
On her decision to this week to cancel her membership of the Qantas chairman's lounge and its Virgin equivalent:
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