Meredith Rowan, from the Strathbogie Ranges, was to be unveiled as the party's contender last weekend, but a change in her personal situation prompted her to abandon the bid.

The current member for Indi, Helen Haines, meanwhile, on Thursday secured the support of Tasmanian Liberal MP Bridget Archer for her bill to establish a federal anti-corruption watchdog.

The backing of the government MP meant a motion put by Dr Haines for federal parliament to debate her bill succeeded 66 to 64 votes, a margin deemed to a be a simple majority.

However, because it was not an absolute majority, 76 of the 151 MPs, it was unable to proceed.

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Dr Haines voiced her dismay, noting that because of COVID measures a number of MPs were absent and unable to vote.

"It is only because of a technicality in the standing orders that calls for an absolute majority that it was lost," Dr Haines said.

"This section of the standing orders is undemocratic during the pandemic and should be changed."

Dr Haines said government MPs were undermining trust in politicians by frustrating efforts to create a corruption watchdog.

"It's clear the government is ignoring the will of the people. And now, it's obstructing the will of the parliament," Dr Haines said.

"It has broken the promise it made almost three years ago. We are entitled to ask whether the Prime Minister honestly, in his heart, wants a robust integrity commission."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended the stymying of Dr Haines' bill on the basis of what has occurred in NSW with the ICAC probe into past premier Gladys Berejiklian and her ex-boyfriend former Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.

"Those opposite want to support the sort of show in NSW, which has seen the most shameful attacks on the former premier of NSW," Mr Morrison told parliament.

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