Premier Jacinta Allan has announced the government would introduce legislation to create the commission after Labor was embroiled in a branch-stacking scandal.
Three commissioners will be given the power to probe allegations of misconduct against MPs, ministers and parliamentary secretaries at parliament, electoral offices or work events
The bill will implement seven of the recommendations from the Independent and Broad-Based Commission and Victorian ombud’s Operation Watts report into branch-stacking and misuse of taxpayer funds.
Other proposed measures include establishing an ethics committee, improving public interest disclosures and legislating an already existing parliamentary integrity adviser.
Allan wants the reforms to start by the middle of next year, in line with the timeline set out by Operation Watts.
“The current framework has fallen short,” she said.
The commission will not be given retrospective powers, meaning it cannot investigate past incidents.
Victorian MP Will Fowles quit Labor earlier this year after he was accused of a serious assault but presiding officers were unable to investigate as the alleged incident did not occur in the parliamentary precinct.
Police are investigating the allegation, which Fowles denies.
Allan, who has served in Victorian parliament since 1999, said the commission would provide a way for allegations of workplace misconduct to be independently investigated.
The Victorian government will consult on the commission’s final proposed model.
Under Labor’s current proposal, allegations against lower-level parliamentary staff would not be able to be investigated.
Anyone would be able to make complaints but they would not extend to MPs opinions or private matters.
Attorney-general Jaclyn Symes acknowledged there would be grey areas where MPs were in a private and work context simultaneously.
“We want to ensure that there are no barriers for anybody to make a complaint, but we do not want complaints going into the personal lives of MPs,” she said.
The commissioners will not be former MPs but people from various backgrounds, the premier said.
Victorian Greens integrity spokesman Tim Reed said the reforms were better late than never, but should be sped up and go further.
“There’s no need, however, to put it off until sometime next year,” he said.
“This really could be organised this year if they put their mind to it.”
There are four sitting weeks left of Victorian parliament this year.
READ MORE:
IBAC survey finds elected officials concerned about corruption
Any feedback or news tips? Here’s where to contact the relevant team.