Corruption watchdog inquiry passes Senate despite LNP fight

THE creation of a national integrity commission will be investigated by a Senate inquiry, despite the Turnbull government rejecting both the inquiry and the creation of any such agency.

On Wednesday the Senate approved the establishment of the inquiry after Palmer United Party Senator Dio Wang moved a motion to that effect.

Labor, the Greens and other crossbenchers backed the inquiry, and all Coalition senators voted against it.

It will investigate resources given to investigating corruption as well as the need for a federal commission to investigate parliament and the public service.

The government has in recent weeks rejected recommendations from two previous Senate inquiries to establish such an agency.