PM Albanese might be in Japan, but in Canberra, the government is getting ready to put legislation for the establishment of a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) before the parliament. The plan is to get final approval from Labor Caucus today (aka the party’s MPs and senators). Next is introducing the bill into the lower house, then it will go to an inquiry involving representatives from both houses, and then Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus will hustle to get it passed by the end of the year. The Albanese Government doesn’t have the numbers to get its own way on legislation, so deals have to be done – and this time, it’s Coalition first in line with the major parties holding “good faith” discussions. That could make Peter Dutton a party-pooper for the many independents and minor parties who campaigned at the May election on integrity. And it would make life easier for Labor if it doesn’t have to implement hardline measures many independents want that could make governing harder. To be continued…