Australian Independent Commission Against Political Corruption

The RepresentUs Movement is committed to social justice, civil liberties and human rights. In a phrase, we believe and will pursue an agenda of real justice for the Common Wealth of communities that are the Australian nation.

It is not acceptable that our elected representatives no longer hold themselves to the same standards of personal and professional behaviour that ordinary Australians are required to engage in other organisations. It is not appropriate that any elected representative or group of representatives knowingly game our parliamentary system or subvert or undermine the interests of the citizens who they are meant to represent.

Engaging in corrupt practices or unethical behaviour, whilst being a representative of our Common Wealth Parliament should be a crime. To this end the following policy positions define our commitment to an egalitarian and accountable polity where transparency and accountability are the hallmark of all elected representatives of our Common Wealth Parliament:

• A national independent statutory authority will be established in Canberra to monitor the professional behaviour of every elected representative in our common wealth Parliament. The name of this national independent statutory authority will be the Australian Independent Commission Against Political Corruption (AICAPC).
• The AICAPC will manage the establishment of blind managed trusts where all elected representatives in our Common Wealth Parliament will be required to place all their assets for the period they hold office.
• The AICAPC will have the authority to investigate any relationship, which any elected representative of our Common Wealth has before, during and after their representative role has finished. This power will apply for the five years preceding their election to Parliament and for a period of five years after the representative retires.
• The AICAPC will have the authority to investigate and charge any individual or group of elected representatives of our Parliament.
• The AICAPC will have the authority to investigate and charge any individual or group who conspire with any elected representative/s of our Common Wealth Parliament.
• The AICAPC will investigate information disclosed to it which is provided in good faith, by individuals, groups or public officials.  Whistle-blowers will be protected by the AICAPC Act which includes laws on reprisals.
• No representative of our Common Wealth government will be allowed to have personal control of any investments in any offshore accounts whilst being an elected representative. All existing offshore accounts that any elected representative has an interest in will be required to be disclosed and managed and monitored by AICAPC.
• The AICAPC will be primarily responsible for overseeing the management of all Common Wealth funds and investment decisions, (and related decisions), by our Common Wealth Parliament, and all three arms of our central government, including the public service and the judiciary.