INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CRIME AND CORRUPTION BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 25 October 2007. Page 1415.)

The SPEAKER: If the member for Mitchell speaks, he closes the debate.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: If the member for Mitchell speaks, he closes the debate. The member for Mitchell.

Mr HANNA (Mitchell) (10:43): Various members have spoken—

Mrs GERAGHTY: I am sorry, sir—

The SPEAKER: It is too late. I called twice, offering members an opportunity to speak. Now that the member for Mitchell has started, I cannot interrupt him. The member for Mitchell.

Mr HANNA: Thank you indeed, Mr Speaker. I thank honourable members for contributing to the debate on this legislation, in which there is considerable public interest. I have had a number of representations to my suburban electoral office indicating support for a commission against corruption. The only representations I have had from constituents, as opposed to other members of parliament, that have been against the measure raised the question (which has been raised in this place) about existing means of combating corruption. However, it can be seen from the legislation that the powers of such a commission, as envisaged by this bill, would not only be greater but they would be unified in one place, and I think there is a real advantage in that.

Although it is never pleasant for a government to consider an independent watchdog with considerable powers to scrutinise individual members' behaviour, it is something that this state needs, and now is the time to do it. I commend the bill to the house.

The house divided on the second reading:

AYES (11)

NOES (23)

PAIRS (8)

Majority of 12 for the noes.

Second reading thus negatived.