White collar fine increase coming
Harsher penalties for corporate crooks could be on the way.
A Labor-amended government bill has passed the Senate that would impose penalties from 15 years behind bars and $500 million in fines for corporate crooks and dodgy companies.
The amendments will be scrutinised in the same week that Labor and crossbench senators are set to put the blowtorch on bureaucrats and government ministers at Senate estimates.
‘Fees for no service’ and other dishonest conduct exposed by the Hayne royal commission are expected to fit into the category of serious corporate crimes.
The Morrison government does not want to move too quickly, ignoring calls for extra parliamentary sittings to deal with banking royal commissioner Kenneth Hayne's recommendations.
Shadow minister for financial services Clare O’Neil said banks need to feel the cost of their actions.
“The banking royal commission uncovered unconscionable, corrupt and potentially criminal behaviour in the banking and financial services sector. The banks need to know that if they do the wrong thing, they’ll pay the price,” she said.