Dr WOODRUFF question to ATTORNEY-GENERAL, Mr BARNETT
The Integrity Commission’s chief, the Honourable Greg Melick AO, presented to parliament’s integrity committee this month. He was scathing about the lack of legislative reform and financial support from your government. The Integrity Commission Act has needed reform for years.
Our Integrity Commission is the worst funded in the nation. Its capacity to do investigations is being affected. It is eroding Tasmania’s trust in its democracy. Meanwhile, your government is putting millions into a stadium and pushing ahead with legislation for your corporate mates. Everything points to you wanting a hobbled integrity body instead of one with teeth.
Attorney‑General, the Chief Commissioner told the integrity committee that you had expressed support for increasing funding to the Integrity Commission but had had trouble with the Treasury. Brave new world. Now, you are the Treasurer and the Attorney‑General. Will you convince yourself to properly fund the Integrity Commission?
Mr Shelton – Labor wants us to cut; Greens want us to spend.
The SPEAKER – I am going to start by telling Mr Shelton, the member for Lyons, that he can also be warned if he would like.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, in one way, it is quite a funny question. I appreciate that – it is a little bit quirky. Let me just say right up front, I really appreciate the work of the Integrity Commission. As I have shared before, I take their work very seriously as an independent statutory authority that commenced in 2010 through an act of parliament passed in 2009.
The Integrity Commission is very important. They have had increased funding since 2016‑17. We have committed in our budget $800,000 over the next four years – increased funding again for the Integrity Commission.
This question has been raised before in this place in recent weeks and months. I refer to the agreement between the Premier and the JLN Network of April this year, which committed to reviewing the work of the Integrity Commission on how we can build the capacity for the Integrity Commission to do its work and to do even more work that is required. That review is due to report by April next year.
I have recently met with the Joint Standing Committee of this parliament for the Integrity Commission. In fact, I met with them yesterday at lunchtime in an informal setting. I answered questions and provided a bit of an update. It was an informal meeting. I was very pleased and delighted to do so because we are collaborating in this parliament, providing information, having briefings, having meetings and providing that feedback.
I also appreciate the work of the chief commissioner, Greg Melick. I have a lot of time for the chief commissioner. I meet with the chief commissioner from time to time. As the Premier said earlier today, I am very pleased with the commitment of the chief executive officer, Ellen McKenzie, who will be starting in the new year. That commitment and that appointment has been made.
We will continue to support the work of the Integrity Commission. I am looking forward to that review and the report, which is due by April next year.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – The Attorney‑General talked about capacity and continuing to support the Integrity Commission. The commissioner, Greg Melick, was very scathing about the existence of inadequate funding and their incapacity to do their current work, let alone take on things like the Weiss investigation and other matters. Will you hold true to your word and increase their funding now so that they can do the work before this report that possibly- we expect – will call for even more money?
The SPEAKER – The time for the supplementary has expired. I will call the Treasurer to the original question.
Mr BARNETT – I thank the member for her question. You have made reference to the Weiss report. We, of course, support the report and its recommendations of recent times, recent months, and the Cox review of many years ago. This report is due by April next year. We have a budget, as I indicated earlier, and it is on the public record of 29 May.
Dr Woodruff – They need the money now.
Mr BARNETT – I do take the advice and feedback from the Chief Commissioner very seriously. I thank the Integrity Commission for their work, and will continue to actively consider all of the feedback that we get from the Integrity Commission.
The SPEAKER – The member can do a point of order on relevance, if she would like.
Dr WOODRUFF – Point of order, Standing Order 45, relevance. Will you hold true to your word?
The SPEAKER – I will take Standing Order 45, relevance. There are nine seconds left, Treasurer. Can you come to the actual question on funding?
Mr BARNETT – I will continue to actively respond and consider their requests on an ongoing basis.
The SPEAKER – The time for answering the question has expired.
