‘Teal’ candidates Monique Ryan, Allegra Spender and Zoe Daniel have backed the model for a national integrity commission (NIC) that has been proposed by independent MP Helen Haines. They are of the view that any federal anti-corruption watchdog should have the power to investigate the misuse of taxpayers’ money.
Ryan says that amongst other things, a national integrity commission should also have the power to start its own investigations, conduct its hearings in public and investigate wrongdoings retrospectively.
However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out subjecting government spending to such scrutiny unless there is evidence of criminal conduct.
