Labor categorically rejects the lazy and incorrect accusations made by Independent Member Kristie Johnston.

Nearly two years ago Labor announced a policy to ban pork barrelling, and legislate for all government grants to go through an independent, impartial assessment process. We re-committed to it again at the last election and applied it to our election commitments.

What Labor proposed is in line with Integrity Commission recommendations, and would put an end to the backroom deals, political favours, and the ugly spectacle of government MPs being investigated by the Commission for making grants that directly benefit themselves or their families.

The claim made in the Parliament this afternoon that Labor is not committed to transparency around election commitments is one thing only: utterly false.

That’s why Labor amended Ms Johnston’s motion to reiterate the Parliament’s previous agreement – that the Government should uphold its commitments to former MLC Dean Harriss, implement the Integrity Commission recommendations to clean up government grants and ban pork barrelling.

Instead, the proposals put forward by Ms Johnston were unworkable for many reasons, including not being consistent with federal laws, no clear definition of election commitments and undeliverable timeframes.

Labor remains committed to ending 13 years of Liberal waste, which has seen Premier Rockliff put Eric Abetz in charge of cutting jobs and services to pay for it.