PM Morrison should follow Biden’s lead on corruption at Summit for Democracy

PM Morrison should follow U.S. President Biden new whole of government plan counter corruption at the Summit for Democracy which starts tomorrow on International Anti-Corruption Day said the NGO coalition Publish What You Pay.

The Biden administration has identified holding corrupt actors accountable, curbing illicit finance and strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms as key priorities along side a 19 point plan. PM Morrison will attend the leaders level summit virtually and bring a set of commitments for the 12 month process.

Publish What You Pay Australia director, Clancy Moore made the following statements:

“Corruption is a disease that eats away at democracies. Communities suffer from stolen revenue and vested interests with power and money often reap the spoils. Morrison should follow’s Biden’s lead and make curbing corruption a national priority.”

“Globally the resources sector in most corruption economic sector. Australia should be a leader not a laggard on reducing corruption risks in the sector. This means greater transparency for resources companies in Australia and for the 700 ASX listed companies operating in more than 100 countries around the world.”

“Corporate secrecy enables money laundering, corruption and fuels organised crime. An easy win for Morrison would be increasing transparency requirements for Australian company owners. In a strong blow to kleptocrats, cronies and crooks, Morrison could ban anonymous shell companies and create a public beneficial ownership register.”

 To help tackle corruption and ensure Australia promoting transparency, the Australian government can make the following commitments at the Summit for Democracy.

1. Implement extractive sector transparency domestically through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

2. Prevent global corruption risks for Australian resources companies operating overseas.

3. Prevent corruption in critical mineral supply chains to support Australia’s new and emerging critical mineral industry as best practice.

Publish What You Pay Australia members have engaged with DFAT officials and representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Australia’s anti-corruption commitments to take to the summit which will be held on December 9th and 10th.

We have sent the attached brief which outlines three commitments that PM Morrison can take to the summit and follow Biden’s leadership.

You can read the full correspondence below.