Respect in Parliament
Yesterday we saw Minister Gallagher in the Senate and the Prime Minister on the House of Representative, duck, weave and dodge simple questions. As Parliamentarians, we need to be focused on setting the standard for all Australians in all aspects of life.
When then Sex Discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins handed down the set the standard report, in it, recommendation 2asks us to demonstrate institutional leadership, recommendation 4 asks us to demonstrate individual leadership.
In the case for change, the report states “Many Australian workplaces have recognised that a safe and respectful workplace culture influences their ability to attract and retain the best people, drive organisational performance as well as to manage what are now significant reputational and legal risks.”
What is happening, right now in this Parliament does not enforce the set the standard report. After almost 2 years, it seems that nothing has been learnt and that we are in the same place as we were.
Those opposite continue to attack Senator Reynolds and throw mud across the chamber while claiming indemnity and innocence. It is time we elevate the discourse in this chamber and elevate how we treat each other.
Transparency and integrity are the most important factors for a functioning democracy. The people must be able to trust that their elected representatives are working in their favour. It is time to bring back integrity into this building. Its time for those opposite to start acting on their words. And despite campaigning on integrity, since day one, the Albanese Labor Government has shown anything but integrity.
It seems like, every time the opposition comes into this chamber asking questions of the government, the government is incredibly reticent to provide any answers.
When in opposition, the now attorney General Mark Dreyfus spent years trying to get a hold of Ministerial diaries of George Brandis, even taking him to court. Now when in government, he refuses to release his diary, as do other Ministers who all campaigned on transparency and integrity. The complete hypocrisy of the Prime Minister and Attorney General to campaign on transparency and integrity, and while in opposition call for a specific act of transparency such as releasing Ministerial diaries then when in government do a complete U-turn on the issue is just outstanding.
We must do everything we can to ensure government and government processes are transparent and that citizens are prepared to engage with our democracy. Because if it lacks transparency and integrity, citizens wont.
I remember in my previous life, where I would take clients through royal commissions in NSW seeing the destruction and carnage that it would wreck on people’s lives. We must do better and as I said before, that means by acting in a manner with transparency and integrity at the forefront of all business in the Senate.
It means that we treat each other with respect. Our role as Parliamentarians is to improve the lives of Australians, not to tear each other down. It means when we address this chamber, we speak the truth and not seek to deceive the public.
Its time we do better. And be better. Its time the government do more than just speak of things that sound nice on social media and start acting, and leading by example.
