The failure to implement a parliamentary code of conduct has made Australia’s regulation of federal politicians’ conduct the weakest among comparable nations, research has found. A new paper from the Centre for Public Integrity has found Australia’s system is considerably weaker than that in the UK, Canada, and New Zealand. The UK has codes of conduct for ministers, MPs, lords, staff and special advisers. The ministerial code is enforced by the prime minister, but the codes applying to the House of Lords and House of Commons are upheld by independent commissioners. The Centre for Public Integrity executive director Han Aulby said Australia “urgently needs a code of conduct” for MPs and their staff.

Source: The Guardian July 12, 2021 04:52 UTC