Research conducted by uCommunications found overwhelming support for a strong national anti-corruption watchdog, including among Coalition, Labor, Greens, One Nation and United Australia Party voters.
- More than 85% of voters support a national anti-corruption watchdog, including more than 74% of Coalition voters
- Recent political scandals, such as Christian Porter's resignation from the Federal Ministry, have increased support for a national anti-corruption watchdog among more than 50% of voters, including more than 31% of Coalition voters
- More than 56% of voters agreed that state politicians are held more accountable than federal politicians, including more than 38% of Coalition voters
- More than 45% of voters said that a national anti-corruption watchdog was a very important issue for them at the next federal election, including 28% of Coalition voters
The polling also showed significant public support for a much stronger anti-corruption watchdog than the Morrison Government's proposed integrity commission, which would not hold public hearings, launch its own investigations, or issue public findings.
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More than 77% of voters support a national anti-corruption watchdog being able to hold public hearings, including more than 59% of Coalition voters
More than 83% of voters agree that members of the public should be able to refer cases to a national anti-corruption watchdog, including more than 75% of Coalition voters
GetUp Economic Fairness Campaign Director Rafi Alam said:
"The writing's on the wall for the Morrison Government. People from every side want a national anti-corruption watchdog with teeth to clean up federal politics, and every new political scandal only increases public support.
"Whether it's Christian Porter's blind trust, Bridget McKenzie's sports rorts, or the ongoing car park rorts controversy, voters are sick and tired of the scandal that plagues politics.
“Every time a politician makes headlines for the wrong reasons, support goes up for a strong national anti-corruption body to clean up Federal Parliament.
"Past polling shows there's been strong support for a national anti-corruption body for a long time. This polling shows that voters are paying attention to recent political scandals, and they believe federal politicians must be held to the same standards as their state counterparts.
"Every time a politician gets caught doing something dodgy, they make the case for a national anti-corruption body stronger. The longer the Morrison Government refuses to accept this reality, the more it will hurt them in the long run.
“A national anti-corruption watchdog with teeth is a long overdue way to restore trust in politics."
Full polling available on request.
Media contact: Alex McKinnon 0411 829 334
Spokespeople:
Rafi Alam, GetUp Economic Fairness Campaign Director