When the auditor general released his report on the Senate expense scandal last year, one of Michael Ferguson’s recommendations was for the establishment of an independent oversight committee.

The idea being no longer leaving it to senators to police themselves.

At the time, Senate leaders were somewhat cool to the suggestions.

However, now three senators on a committee have the job of exploring long-term options for more transparency and accountability to the red chamber.

Tory Senator Leo Housakos and Liberal Jane Cordy, who lead the internal economy committee, say the options do include an independent oversight committee that would regularly go over expenses.

Ferguson says it’ll be important for any such body to have most of its members, including its chair, come from outside the Senate.