NACC Bill – Senator Larissa Waters
Monday 28 November 2022, Senate
Sometimes patience pays off in politics. It’s been three years since my Private Member’s Bill for a strong independent anti-corruption watchdog with the ability to hold public hearings passed this chamber. And it’s been 14 years since the Greens first moved for there to be a federal corruption body.
This week we will finally see the passage of legislation to set up a federal corruption watchdog. There is no doubt that this Bill is a huge leap forward with many of the necessary features. It builds on the good work done by the Greens and Independents over many years. But we remain very disappointed that Labor has walked back its previous commitment to public hearings – making them the exception, rather than the rule.