Disinformation has been spread about the legality of 'pork barrelling' by senior politicians who appear to not understand the law, the chief commissioner of the NSW corruption watchdog says.
Outgoing Chief Commissioner of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption Peter Hall said recent comments by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison which suggested pork barrelling was not illegal lacked legal principles.
Mr Hall made the comments during a forum convened by the ICAC on Friday to examine the legality and ethics of pork barrelling, and whether it could be considered corrupt conduct.
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Pork barrelling is the practice of using goverment funds for projects designed to win votes in certain areas.
"There appears to be an amount of uncertainty and disinformation, as to the lawfulness or otherwise, of pork barrelling practices," Mr Hall said on Friday.
"During the last federal election, the former Prime Minister (Scott Morrison) in reference to the practice of pork barrelling raised the question as reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, quote, 'No one is suggesting anyone has broken any laws are they?'.
"Some ministerial comments to similar effects have been made at the state level, suggesting that pork barrelling is normal and legal."
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