Good policies flow from robust democracies. Despite there being so many critical issues facing Australians and the world right now, we must not drop the ball on integrity measures that are critical to the transparency and accountability of our political system. With the Opposition in disarray, it has been the crossbench continuing to keep integrity on the agenda.
Here is a quick update about how I have been holding the Government to account when it comes to integrity.
Ending the ‘jobs for mates’ culture
I reintroduced my Ending Jobs for Mates Bill because, three years on from first tabling this legislation, major public appointments are still being made behind closed doors with little transparency.
The recently released Report into Public Board Appointments was clear, Australia’s current appointments process is ‘not fit for purpose.’ The Government has ignored the recommendations of this report. Rather than legislating an independent framework for major public appointments, they instead published just 7 dot points of principles. This isn’t good enough. Australians deserve appointments based on merit - not as rewards for loyalty or to determine the direction of institutions.
A big thank you to the Centre for Public Integrity who developed the independent appointments framework, and to the Mackellar constituents who travelled to Canberra to watch democracy in action as I tabled the Bill in the House of Representatives.
Parliamentary reports gathering dust
I joined Kate Chaney MP to call out the growing backlog of committee reports that remain unanswered by the Government. Since 2022, more than 50 House and Joint Committee inquiries have gone without a response. Over half are more than a year overdue, and many have been contributed to by thousands of experts, industry groups, and community members in good faith.
These inquiries represent serious work and real solutions. They deserve action, not silence. Governments should not use inquiries to delay difficult issues. They must respond and provide reasons if the recommendations of an inquiry are not adopted.
As a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Health and Aged Care, I spoke about the Inquiry into Diabetes which, 18 months on, remains without a response.
Dodgy Freedom of Information Bill scrapped
In a win for transparency and accountability the Government has dropped its proposed changes to Freedom of Information laws after strong pushback from the crossbench.
Serious concerns were raised that the proposed changes to the legislation would have expanded exemptions, increased barriers to accessing documents, and made it harder for journalists and the public to scrutinise government decisions and spending. Many crossbenchers, including myself, put forward constructive amendments, but these concerns were not addressed by the Government.
Freedom of Information laws are not a bureaucratic inconvenience; they are a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Dropping this bill is the right call, and an opportunity for the Government to go back to the drawing board and work collaboratively on reforms that genuinely strengthen, rather than weaken, public access to information.
Rising fuel prices and taxing our gas
As Parliament resumes, fuel and energy prices will be front of mind. With global instability driving up costs, Australian households are under pressure while multinational gas companies post record profits.
I’m continuing to push for a windfall profits tax, and a 25% levy on the sale of our gas. Everyday Australians should benefit from our own natural resources.
I’ll keep you updated as the fortnight unfolds.
- Sophie