They argue persuasively that the superior revenue-raising and spending powers of the Commonwealth make transparency and probity even more necessary. Lee Rhiannon, The Greens democracy spokeswoman, said major party resistance to a "national ICAC" was becoming increasingly hard to justify. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Greens democracy spokeswoman Lee Rhiannon said major party resistance to a "national ICAC" – as many dub it – was becoming increasingly hard to justify, especially when money flowed routinely between state and federal accounts of political parties. And she said the standard refrain from the major parties that NSW was a special case was also wishful thinking. "The appalling things we are learning about the murky relationship between business and politics in NSW, we only know because of ICAC, so how do we know what's happening beyond that?" she said.

The Greens have long had legislation for a federal anti-corruption watchdog before the Parliament but have so far failed to have it brought on for debate. That may change if the Palmer United Party pushes it forward, although it has so far reserved its position. A spokesman for Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the government had a "zero tolerance" approach to corruption. "The Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity is responsible for preventing, detecting and investigating serious issues of corruption in federal law enforcement agencies," he said. "The Commonwealth Ombudsman performs an important function in investigating and auditing various agencies and functions." Labor's attitude remains similarly non-committal. It says it will not go out on its own to create an ICAC-type body but would be prepared to work with the government to strengthen accountability.

On Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's office pointed to his previous statements. "I think we've all been shocked at the revelations that have come out in NSW ICAC," he has said. "I don't believe the same case has yet existed to demonstrate these problems are prevalent in the national political debate in Australia. But I have indicated, publicly on the record to Tony Abbott, that we are happy to sit down with him and work constructively in a bipartisan fashion to ensure we have the strongest possible defences against any perception of corruption full stop." Independent senator Nick Xenophon said the absence of a national anti-corruption body was an anomaly that must be fixed. Yet for all his enthusiasm, he also cautioned against mimicking the NSW commission, which he described as a "rolling sideshow". Senator Xenophon said it was crucial that a new body be established but that the lessons of the states be absorbed. He said the South Australian version took secrecy to a ludicrous degree, making it a criminal offence to report that somebody had been subpoenaed or called on to give evidence. That contrasted with the NSW commission, which seemed to be on a perennial search for sensational headlines.

"It's become the political equivalent of the Ebola virus, where being called before it is not certain to kill your career but there's a high likelihood it will," he told Fairfax Media. The lawyerly veteran of the South Australian and national upper houses said the NSW model was clearly flawed because it was more process than outcome, having led to very few convictions. Loading Senator Xenophon's point is well made and it is one that federal MPs must address if they cede to the obvious need for a national body. Follow us on Twitter