The former judge has teamed up with the Australian Institute think tank to survey MPs on their ethical values as part of a push to clean up Canberra and build momentum for a federal anti-corruption body.

The Queensland QC - who presided over the Fitzgerald Inquiry that ultimately led to the resignation of the state premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen - has developed the questionnaire that asks MPs about their attitudes towards accountability, integrity, nepotism, deception and the spending of public money.

The major political parties are controlled by professional, "whatever-it-takes" politicians who are driven by self-interest and ideology, and addicted to vested interest funding, Mr Fitzgerald said.

"Politicians will find it impossible to regain public trust unless they behave like normal, honourable people: treat everyone equally, tell the truth, explain decisions, and act only in the public interest," he said.

"If any consider that they are legitimately entitled to act unethically the survey allows them to explain their position. It will be very troubling if some fail to respond, in effect telling the public that they'll act as they wish and there's nothing voters can do about it while the major parties are opposed to reform."

Twenty-two prominent Australians have joined Mr Fitzgerald's push, including high-profile barristers Robert Richter, Geoffrey Watson, Brian Walters, Kristine Hanscombe and Stephen Keim.

The "Fitzgerald Principles" are also supported by former NSW DPP Nicholas Cowdery, ACTU president Ged Kearney, former NSW Parliament speaker and Liberal MP Kevin Rozzoli and a long list of academics.

The surveys were sent out to all MPs last month and are due to be returned later this week.

The outcome of the survey, including individual responses - or omissions to respond - will be published in the lead-up to the Accountability and the Law 2017 Conference to be held in Canberra in August.

Polls show Australians overwhelming support the idea of a federal anti-corruption body like the NSW ICAC. About 80 per cent of people would back the proposal, according to a recent Australia Institute survey.

Mr Fitzgerald says Australian society is gradually becoming less egalitarian and more cynical as the gap between the haves and have-nots widens - and he blames the economic policies and attitudes of today's politicians.