JEREMY Hanson says that the Canberra Liberals are announcing a government integrity package ahead of the ACT Election.

“A Canberra Liberals government will boost funding and resources for the Auditor-General to conduct further performance audits and public interest disclosures as well as establish a fully independent Public Service Commissioner to help restore integrity and public confidence in the ACT government. Today in the Assembly I’ll also be calling on the government to match these commitments” Jeremy said.

“If elected the Canberra Liberals will initially commit an additional $3 million to support the Auditor-General and $900,000 for the independent Public Service Commissioner.

“These reforms are absolutely necessary given the perception of a smell and a lack of integrity around Andrew Barr’s government.

“Canberrans should be able to have confidence in their local government, but sadly, it’s been eroded by a government more interested in looking after its own than the wider interests of the Canberra community.

“It’s important independent authorities like the Auditor-General and the independent Public Service Commissioner have the power to investigate government. It will add to the strength of democracy in the ACT,” Mr Hanson concluded.

UPDATE: The Greens have been quick to savage the proposal:

The ACT Greens say the Canberra Liberals’ “integrity package” has been exposed as a sham in light of their opposition to an ACT Integrity Commission with investigative powers.

“The Canberra Liberals’ ‘integrity package’ has been exposed as a sham and a farce,” said ACT Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury.

“After years of smears and innuendo against their political opponents, they’ve balked at the idea of an ACT Integrity Commission with real teeth and investigative powers.

“Perhaps it’s because they don’t want an independent body looking into their recent donations from interstate property developers – or maybe they’re simply content to continue using these issues as a political football without taking real action.

“Our proposal for an ACT Integrity Commission would allow for independent investigations into allegations of misconduct. It would also provide advice and support for agencies to improve their standards.

“Other parts of the country – like NSW – waited until it was too late to take this kind of action. We need to learn from their mistakes,” Mr Rattenbury said.

Mr Rattenbury is now calling for Canberra Liberals leader Jeremy Hanson to back a proposed Integrity Commission with powers similar to the NSW ICAC.

“Putting the community first means holding ourselves to the highest standards – and so far, only the Greens have shown a commitment to making that happen.

“It’s not too late for Mr Jeremy Hanson to show some backbone and support our proposal.”