NT ICAC calls are corruption allegations
The Northern Territory's Treasurer has shouted down a morning radio host who asked for an independent anti-corruption body be set up, accusing him of making baseless allegations of corruption.
The government has resisted creating an ICAC-type institution, despite the Ombudsman recommending one in this month's review of police misconduct.
Mix 104.9 morning radio host Pete Davies said there was a negative perception in the community of the government, and that an anti-corruption body would help clear things up.
But Treasurer Dave Tollner heatedly defended the government's decision not to implement an ICAC.
"Do you think corruption exists in our police? Do you think corruption exists in our courts?" he said.
"What you do by calling for an ICAC is actually an allegation of corruption. Now where is it?"
The NT is the only jurisdiction without a watchdog, Mr Davies said.
"What they do is undermine the supremacy of your parliament," Mr Tollner said.
Mr Tollner said there was no need for an anti-corruption body, and that the Australian Federal Police had been brought in to investigate allegations of wrongdoing against the former police commissioner.
While fighting off a leadership challenge in February, Chief Minister Adam Giles accused unnamed parliamentarians of working with senior police to bring down his government, but later backed away from holding a promised inquiry.
Last year, the government agreed to hold an inquiry into political donations and the alleged Country Liberals Party slush fund Foundation 51, before backflipping.
And last week, the government narrowly beat a parliamentary motion to establish an anti-corruption body after backbencher Robyn Lambley quit the CLP and voted against it, saying Mr Giles was damaging the party's reputation with voters.
