There is no suggestion that Dutton himself played a part in signing the contracts.
Dutton’s office declined to comment on behalf of the Liberal leader,who is on leave,beyond saying that Home Affairs gave out contracts without ministerial oversight,a point previously made by department secretary Mike Pezzullo in a parliamentary hearing.
Opposition frontbencher Michaelia Cash said the allegations were matters for Home Affairs,adding she had “no doubt” they would be canvassed in upcoming Senate estimates hearings involving departmental heads.
“There is no suggestion that Peter Dutton himself played a part in signing the contracts. These contracts are signed by the Department of Home Affairs,” she told ABCradio’sRNBreakfast,adding that as assistant minister for immigration and border protection between 2013 and 2015 she was unaware of the issues raised in the reports.
However,Liberal backbencher Bridget Archer called for an independent inquiry into the allegations,which include suspect payments being made to senior politicians from Nauru and Papua New Guinea,requests for bribes,and complaints to Home Affairs falling on deaf ears.
“I certainly think they are very serious revelations and warrant further inquiry,” Archer said,adding it was “critical that there is trust and integrity in government contracts”.
NSW Labor MP Mike Freelander said although he preferred not to second-guess his colleagues,he believed there should be an independent inquiry. Tasmanian independent MP and integrity campaigner Andrew Wilkie called on the government to “act quickly to investigate the matter” and urged Dutton to address parliament next week.
Independent MPs Dr Sophie Scamps,Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall all called for an investigation,with Scamps urging the government to either establish an inquiry or refer the matter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
However,Steggall said any NACC probe would likely be behind closed doors.
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“I believe there should be a royal commission into offshore detention so that this whole policy area can be publicly examined,” she said.
Spender said both Dutton and Home Affairs had serious questions to answer.
“The politicians and public servants responsible must be held to account,” she said.