History made as Greens’ Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry Bill passes Senate

Greens Treasury Spokesperson, Senator Whish-Wilson, provides the following comments on the historic passage of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry Bill through the Senate.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “This is a historic moment where the Senate has voted for only the second time since Federation to establish a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry.

“We wanted Malcolm Turnbull to act to establish a Royal Commission into the banks but when he didn’t, we looked to see what the Parliament could do without him.

“A Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry has equivalent powers to a Royal Commission, but rather than reporting to the Government, it reports to the Parliament.

“I thank Senators Hanson, Hinch, Lambie, Roberts and Xenophon for their co-sponsorship of the Bill, and also Senator Wacka Williams for his support of the Bill during the debate.

“The banks should be very worried. This Commission of Inquiry now moves to the House where it is currently one vote short of passing.

“This Inquiry hangs like a Damocles Sword over Malcolm Turnbull and the banks. Either Malcolm Turnbull sets up his own Royal Commission or he runs the risk that Parliament does it without him,” he concluded.
Greens Treasury Spokesperson, Senator Whish-Wilson