New research has raised questions about $55 billion in government grants as Labor commits to legislating an anti-corruption commission by the end of the year if elected.
The pledge from Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese comes as the government seeks to clarify its own position on the issue.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised at the 2019 election to establish a national integrity commission but did not subsequently introduce legislation to parliament.
The establishment of a watchdog is fast turning into an election issue as voters call for increased transparency and accountability of political decision-making.
The Centre for Public Integrity, an independent think tank, has analysed billions of dollars in federally approved grants which have at times been green-lit with little oversight by the Morrison government.
The centre has laid out a rejigged system for grants, with transparent criteria, quarterly reports by ministers justifying the spending of taxpayer money and an independent oversight body.
Former Federal Court judge Michael Barker said the grant spending under the Morrison government showed it was time for an overhaul.
"Currently there is little or no oversight of grant spending," Mr Barker said.
The prime minister this week argued the Liberals' model did not have enough support to pass parliament, adding he would not introduce a so-called "kangaroo court".
Government frontbenchers Stuart Robert and Simon Birmingham on Friday insisted the coalition would try again to establish a corruption watchdog.
Mr Albanese said electing a Labor government on May 21 was the only way to ensure it would happen.
"Mr Morrison has delayed and obfuscated for over three years. And then this week it became clear he has absolutely no intention of honouring his promise to deliver a national anti-corruption commission at all," he said.
"So the question for Mr Morrison is: 'Why do you fear an anti-corruption commission? What is it you're afraid they will find?'"
Meanwhile, the prime minister is promising additional support for agricultural shows and field days disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Morrison said the $2.8 million funding package would assist events cancelled this year, as well as events cancelled last year that did not apply for previous assistance.
Meanwhile, NSW Treasurer and fellow Liberal Matt Kean has come out swinging against the party's embattled candidate for the Sydney seat of Warringah, Katherine Deves, over a series of anti-trans comments.
"There is no place in a mainstream political party for bigotry," Mr Kean said on Thursday.
"Political leaders should be condemning the persecution of people based on their gender, not participating in it."
Ms Deves, Mr Morrison's personal pick for the Warringah race, has mocked fears inside the trans community of suicide due to discrimination, called trans children "mutilated" and compared her resistance to trans athletes to opposing the Holocaust.
Both major party leaders will resume their pitch to voters on Saturday after honouring an election truce on Good Friday.
The campaign is expected to pause again on Easter Sunday.
© AAP 2022