Thank goodness for the lunatic fringe, via The Guardian:
The Tasmanian independent Jacqui Lambie says she will consider telling the Morrison government “where to stick their bills” if the Coalition continues to pursue a suboptimal federal integrity commission.
Lambie made the threat during a show of unity by parliamentary crossbenchers on Wednesday about the necessity for stronger accountability measures in response to allegations aired by Nine this week against the casino operator Crown Resorts.
On Wednesday the Age reported that the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission will conduct a special investigation into organised crime in Australian casinos.
…The Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick told reporters there was “no question” the crossbench would seek changes to the Morrison government’s bill to establish a federal anti-corruption commission to give it “proper jurisdiction and powers”.
Lambie said the Centre Alliance had already drawn up an alternative bill, which had been sent to drafters and will be presented when parliament resumes in five weeks after the winter recess. “Obviously I want it to have more teeth than Jaws,” she said.
Under the government’s proposal, the ALCEI will be converted into an anti-corruption commission – a model that has been criticised by some experts.
…Wilkie, who blasted Tuesday’s referral, said the Australian public would not accept the “weak integrity commission that has been proposed by the current government”.
“The public want something with teeth. And the public want to know what politicians in this place are trying to hide – because that’s the only reason you’d oppose an integrity commission.”
Wilkie noted the Nine investigation into Crown casino had included claims that two ministers and an MP had lobbied the home affairs department to facilitate entry of VIPs and high-roller gamblers to Australia by private jet.
The Greens MP Adam Bandt said while this conduct may not constitute a crime, it could possibly constitute corruption. Lambie declared there were “morally corrupt” politicians in the parliament.
Wilkie said the government’s Australian Commissioner for Law Enforcement Integrity inquiry was a “snow job” that was only “good as far as it goes” but could not directly investigate employees of Crown and other government agencies, such as the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.
Meanwhile, the Crown oligarchs are printing ads:
There’s some hoi polloi for ya! Read the Domain response here.
Go get ’em crossbench!
