Greens leader Bob Brown has renewed calls for the
creation of a federal corruption commission.
Greens leader Bob Brown has renewed calls for the creation of a federal corruption commission, after a Queensland backbencher was accused of trying to line his pockets on government time.
Michael Johnson, the Liberal National Party MP for the Brisbane seat of Ryan, has denied trying to broker an export deal to secure a $12 million commission for himself.
He will face an LNP executive meeting at 10am (AEST) on Thursday which could end in his sacking from the party.
It is expected if this occurs he will run as an independent candidate to shore up his superannuation entitlements.
Senator Brown told ABC radio he would push a private member's bill to set up an independent corruption watchdog similar to the commissions in Queensland and NSW.
'It would enable a reference to be made to an independent investigator if on the face of it there was some wrongdoing by an MP or anybody who is under a crown salary,' he said.
'The basic principle ... is to ensure that politicians and public servants are working in the interest of the public.'
He called for Labor and the coalition to support the idea.
'This is a test for federal MPs,' he said.
Meanwhile, LNP Senator George Brandis told Sky News Mr Johnson was entitled to a fair hearing.
'Mr Johnson has maintained that he's done nothing wrong and he's entitled to the presumption of innocence, and he's entitled to procedural fairness.
'There's a meeting happening in Brisbane this morning and what the outcome of that meeting will be I don't know.'
