Independent MP Helen Haines has called on a federal integrity body to investigate the appointments of Mr. Morrison, but is this possible?
A former commissioner of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption said it was unlikely Morrison would be scrutinized by a federal integrity body.
The Albanian government has announced it will set up a federal ICAC, but Anthony Whealy QC, who is also chairman of the Center for Public Integrity, told ABC NewsRadio it would take “some time” to set up.
Mr Whealy said that, at this stage, it was unclear how the federal ICAC would define corrupt conduct and the definition could affect its ability to investigate Mr Whealy’s case. Morrison.
“If it is a narrow definition, then there will be a limited investigative role. If there is a broad enough definition of corrupt behaviour, that will enable them to cast their net a bit wider,” Mr Whealy said.
He said it was “grossly inappropriate” that Mr Morrison was appointed to these additional portfolios and kept them secret.
“Why can’t assistant ministers take over if there is an emergency, why is the prime minister the one who takes over these many portfolios?” he said. “And why is it done secretly?“
“I think it absolutely shakes the foundations of the Westminster system.”
Reporting by Thomas Oriti, Anna Pykett and Wing Kuang
