Liberal John Alexander ‘would think about’ supporting independent’s federal anti-corruption bill

The outgoing Liberal MP, John Alexander, says he would "seriously consider" supporting Helen Haines's bill for a federal integrity commission if the independent member for Indi again attempts to have the draft legislation debated by parliament before the election.

On Tuesday, the attorney general, Michaelia Cash, confirmed the government was "not progressing" its proposed commonwealth integrity commission until at least after the election, saying the government could not pass it without Labor support.

This means the government will go to the election having broken its 2019 election commitment for an integrity commission, despite first releasing a bill for such a body in November 2020 and the prime minister, Scott Morrison, indicating last week there was still time to introduce it.

Alexander, who has called for a bipartisan approach to establishing a federal anti-corruption body, told Guardian Australia he had "missed his chance" when Haines moved to debate her bill last month and the Tasmanian MP Bridget Archer crossed the floor in support.

"I thought she was very, very brave. I think we've seen a lot of brave women lately, and maybe not enough brave men," Alexander said.

Were it not for the Covid restrictions governing parliament, Haines would have secured the absolute majority required to suspend standing orders and debate her anti-corruption bill, which was also supported by the cross-bench, Labor and the Greens.

While saying he thought it was a "moot point" and it was unlikely Haines would have another chance to debate her bill with only one sitting week of parliament left before the election, Alexander said he reserved his right to cross the floor.