MARK DREYFUS MP

The ever-growing list of scandals involving the Morrison Government shows why Australia urgently needs a powerful and independent national anti-corruption commission.  

To be abused in any way at that time of life—whether it be physical or psychological or sexual or financial abuse, or even just plain neglect—is a shocking violation of what is owed to a generation of Australians who have lived and worked and contributed, and who continue to play a role in the life of the nation and the lives of those who love and care for them.

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief is a fundamental human right and Labor supports the extension of the federal anti-discrimination framework to ensure that Australians are not discriminated against because of their religious beliefs or activities, just as Commonwealth law currently prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, disability, race, sex, gender identity, sex characteristics, and sexual orientation.

The Prime Minster and his deputy are right to be terrified of what an independent national anti-corruption commission would reveal about what they have been up to over the last 8 years. 

The Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Bill 2021 should mark a historic day for this parliament. This should be a day on which partisan politics are set aside as we work together as Australian lawmakers to pass into Australian law measures to implement the recommendations of Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins's groundbreaking report entitled Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces Report (2020). But this is not that day.

Almost 1,000 days have passed since the Prime Minister and the former Attorney-General stood before the Australian people and finally, grudgingly, promised them a National Anti-Corruption Commission.

The ever-growing list of scandals surrounding the Morrison government shows why Australia needs a powerful and independent anti-corruption commission and why the Prime Minister and his colleagues continue to do everything they can to stop one from being established.

Time after time after time, the Morrison government put their interests and those of their mates above the interests of Australians. Instead of doing everything in their power to get Australians out of lockdown, the Prime Minister and his Treasurer are using the national parliament to sneak through legislation to help their mates. They are not on the side of Australians.

If the government is serious about providing justice for First Nations people, if the Prime Minister is genuine in what he claims is his desire to work respectfully with Indigenous Australians to close the gap in justice outcomes, he should start by honouring rather than trashing the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

This is a government that lives in terror of what a powerful, independent, and transparent anti-corruption commission would reveal to the Australian people.