The New South Wales premier, Dominic Perrottet, has said he believes Scott Morrison went too far in describing the state’s anti-corruption watchdog as a “kangaroo court”.
After the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) commissioner, Stephen Rushton, described critics who used the term, including the prime minister, as “buffoons” at an parliament inquiry on Monday, Perrottet used a press conference to throw his support behind the watchdog.
Perrottet said the Icac “plays an important role in upholding integrity and confidence in politicians and in public servants in our state”. He called on politicians to avoid any comments which “undermine confidence” in integrity agencies or the judiciary.
“There will always be different views in relation to the judiciary or the Icac,” he said.
“People are entitled to have their opinions but when we do have opinions and we do raise concerns we need to do so in a way that doesn’t undermine confidence in our integrity agencies.”
Asked specifically whether he believed Morrison went too far in labelling the Icac as a kangaroo court after an inquiry which led to the resignation of former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, Perrottet replied: “Absolutely.”
“I would disagree with that,” he said.
“As I said there are always ways where the public service integrity agencies and the judiciary can improve but … when we have these debates we need to do so [in a way] that increases public confidence in our agencies.”
It comes as the federal finance minister, Simon Birmingham, repeated Morrison’s criticisms of the Icac on Wednesday.
Birmingham defended Morrison, calling the Icac a “Star Chamber” designed to grab headlines.
“I’m not interested in name-calling,” Birmingham told ABC TV on Tuesday after Rushton’s criticism.
“What we don’t want is the type of Star Chamber model that brings down people like Gladys Berejiklian before even findings are made. We want to make sure that it’s a model that provides procedural fairness.
“Those types of models, that are all about Star Chamber models, headline-grabbing-type approaches – they’re not about integrity.”
The government has come under increased pressure to introduce a federal integrity agency, including from a series of “teal” independents campaigning against moderate Liberal MPs.
The Opposition leader, Anthony Albanese, said the prime minister’s comments were outrageous.
“You had an Icac commissioner come out and slam the prime minister for his outrageous comments about a kangaroo court,” Albanese said on Tuesday.
“They are quite extraordinary comments he made and he’s been rebuked by a member of the judiciary.”
Morrison has continued to repeat his criticisms of the Icac while resisting pressure to commit to a federal anti-corruption body, including as recently as last month.
“I’m very critical of some of the Icacs, particularly in NSW,” he said at the time.
