MORRISON TRASHES PARLIAMENT TO PROTECT PORTER

Scott Morrison has used his numbers to turn Federal Parliament into a protection racket for Christian Porter.

Speaker Tony Smith today found a prima facie case for the House Standing Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests to look into potential contempt of the Parliament by Christian Porter.

But in a totally unprecedented move Mr Morrison and every single one of his MPs has voted down the inquiry.

This is the first time in history a government has voted against a privileges referral that was given precedence by the Speaker.

For 120 years this has been a key protection against corruption. Today the Morrison-Joyce Government abandoned this principle.

That means we may never learn the truth about who paid Mr Porter’s legal bills and what they may expect in return.

This is a disgraceful, shameful moment in Australian political history.

We need to restore trust in our political system. This decision by Mr Morrison will only further undermine that trust.

With this vote Mr Morrison has signalled to all his MPs that they are free to hide their financial interests behind so-called “blind trusts” – completely undermining the whole purpose of the Register of Members’ Interests.

As of today the Morrison-Joyce Government has given the green light for MPs to receive donations from anonymous sources and use the money for personal expenses.

This makes a mockery of the system of disclosure and transparency designed to keep our politicians from being bought.

It’s been more than 1000 days since Mr Morrison promised to set up a federal anti-corruption body.

Mr Morrison has no interest in exposing corruption. He just wants it covered up.

Today shows once again why he has not delivered one – and will never deliver one.

Only an Albanese Labor Government will deliver a National Anti-Corruption Commission with teeth.

WEDNESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2021