A national anti-corruption commission "with teeth" will be legislated by the end of the year if a Labor government is elected, Anthony Albanese says.
The pledge from the Opposition leader comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison says his government still has a "very clear" and "detailed" plan of its own for establishing a federal integrity watchdog.
"That is what I am putting to the election and that is what I would hope to put to the parliament," he told reporters on Saturday in the Liberal-held seat of Chisholm in Melbourne.
Mr Morrison promised at the 2019 election to establish a national integrity commission but did not subsequently introduce legislation to parliament.
The establishment of a watchdog is quickly turning into an election issue as voters call for increased transparency and accountability of political decision-making.
The prime minister has this week argued the Liberals' model did not have enough support to pass parliament, adding that that he says is established in New South Wales on a state level.
“At the last election, we said we would seek to put one in place. We developed a policy, developed detailed legislation, the Labor Party didn’t agree with it," he said on Saturday.
"At this election, you have a very clear and detailed policy when it comes to how we want to progress with that issue.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said was unable to get support for legislation for a federal anti-corruption body. Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS
New South Wales established its Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in 1988, and there have long been calls for its model to be adopted at the federal level, despite the prime minister's objections.
The model allows for the investigation of corrupt conduct in the public sector through public hearings, probing tip-offs from the public, and issuing public findings.
"I'm very critical of some of the ICACs, particularly in New South Wales," Mr Morrison said on Saturday.
"I don't think that's what we need.
"I think what we need is a proper integrity commission that is driven by the processes of the rule of law, that doesn’t seek to judge people before they are able to have their matters properly considered, and that is a sensible policy we put forward."
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has promised to make establishing a federal anti-corruption body a top priority. Source: AAP / LUKAS COCH
Speaking later on Saturday in Cairns, Mr Albanese said Labor would legislate a national anti-corruption body "with teeth". He said there would be scope for public hearings, and it would be up to the body when they would be held, while retrospective powers would also be a matter for the body.
Government frontbenchers Stuart Robert and Simon Birmingham on Friday insisted the Coalition would try again to establish a corruption watchdog.
Mr Albanese said in a statement that electing a Labor government was the only way to ensure it would happen.
"Mr Morrison has delayed and obfuscated for over three years - and then this week it became clear he has absolutely no intention of honouring his promise to deliver a national anti-corruption commission at all," he said.
"So the question for Mr Morrison is - why do you fear an anti-corruption commission? What is it you're afraid they will find?"
Both leaders resumed their pitch to voters on Saturday after honouring an election pause on Good Friday.
The campaign is expected to pause again on Easter Sunday.
Mr Morrison also said on Saturday hdespite calls from NSW Treasurer and fellow Liberal Matt Kean for her to be disendorsed.
After touring a lolly factory in the Melbourne seat of Chisholm, Mr Morrison visited the Royal Easter Show in Sydney with his family.
With his wife Jenny and daughters, Mr Morrison toured the agricultural sheds at the show on Saturday afternoon, meeting farmers, jersey cows, and a llama.
Earlier, the prime minister promised additional support for agricultural shows and field days disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Morrison said the $2.8 million funding package would assist events cancelled this year, as well as events cancelled last year that did not apply for previous assistance.
"We've all missed our big royal shows and our local ag festivals, and this investment is about ensuring we don't lose them," he said.
"These events aren't just about showbags, rides and competitions, they bring regional leaders together to share skills and experience and they open doors for new jobs and investments."
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said agricultural shows and field days contributed more than $1 billion to the economy every year.
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