Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator Lisa Cummins, has been explaining why senior public officials have been included in proposed integrity legislation.
The Senate today began Debate on the Integrity in Public Life Bill, some three years after it was defeated in that very House for failing to get the necessary votes.
The legislation will among other things, require specified public officers to declare their income, assets and liabilities.
Senator Cummins says senior posts such as permanent secretaries are regarded as accounting officers and have power that in some cases, not even ministers have.
She also sought to explain why the Senate has been included in the proposed legislation.
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