CLEANING UP POLITICS
My Priorities
A ban on lies in political advertising
End hidden, dodgy donations - especially from social harm industries
Visibility on who’s given money (and how much) BEFORE you vote
Expose the role of lobbyists so we know who’s influencing our leaders
Getting Things Done
As your Curtin Independent MP, I’m proud to have helped deliver results for our community.
Introduced the Fair & Transparent Elections Bill to reduce financial influence in elections
Stood up for taxpayers when the major parties colluded to increase their own funding
Supported the establishment of a National Anti-Corruption Commission
Integrity is fundamental to public trust and confidence in governments and democracy.
Australians need to be confident that people in public office are held to the highest ethical standards. We expect decision making in government to be transparent and fair. Parliamentarians should lead by example and embed the best practice standards for safe and respectful conduct in their workplace. People who seek public office must conduct transparent and honest campaigns.
My Private Members Bill: Fair and Transparent Elections Bill
In March 2024, as part of my ongoing commitment to restoring trust in politics, I introduced my Fair and Transparent Elections Bill. The crossbenches of both Houses support my Bill, including David Pocock in the Senate. The Bill introduces a suite of electoral reforms to rebuild trust in our political system, including voters knowing who is supporting political candidates before they vote.
These changes have broad support. Read more about this bill here.
The Government’s recent approach
In November 2024 the Government introduced two Electoral Legislation Amendment bills in the final weeks of the 2024 parliamentary sittings. The first is a bill that will impact on donation disclosure, gifts, election expenditure and caps. It appears that this legislation is going to be rushed through Parliament this year with the support of the Opposition without much needed further scrutiny. It is the biggest change to election law in 40 years and it took 6 months to draft. With complex legislation the Government would ordinarily refer it to a committee for scrutiny. But neither of the major parties are prepared to subject the bill to transparent examination. The public deserves better.
Lies in Political Advertising - Misinformation and Disinformation
The Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 has recently been introduced.
The broad aim of the Bill is to incentivise digital communications platform providers to have robust systems and measures in place to combat misinformation and disinformation that create serious harm.
The legislation does three things:
imposes core transparency obligations on digital platforms;
provides ACMA with information gathering and record keeping powers; and
enables ACMA to approve industry made codes and make standards as a last resort, if voluntary platform efforts are inadequate.
A number of people in my Curtin community have expressed real concern about online safety and harm. Surveys conducted in the Curtin community indicate support for greater responsibility being placed on digital platforms.
I believe we should sensibly regulate seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation, with transparency and accountability being at the forefront. Taking this approach is consistent with my Fair and Transparent Elections Private Members Bill, and my priority to seek to ban lies in political advertising.
Some people have expressed concern in relation to censorship and I recognise the need to protect freedom of expression while addressing misinformation and disinformation in line with community expectations.
After consideration of the Bill, consultation with experts and discussions with the Government about amendments, I voted in favour of the Bill because I believe it strikes the appropriate balance.
ACMA’s powers are directed to digital communications platform providers and not to individual end-users. The Bill does not empower ACMA to require digital platforms to takedown or remove online content, except for disinformation involving inauthentic behaviour such as bots or troll farms. It doesn’t give ACMA ability to fine or regulate end-users.
A number of amendments have been made to the Government’s initial draft. These include
tightening the definition of misinformation and disinformation and limiting the types of harm that constitute ‘serious harm’ (to public health, groups of people or elections).
Content for academic, artistic, scientific or religious purposes is exempt from the Bill.
making data accessible to independent researchers and an independent review after 3 years.
Whistleblowers
The National Anti-Corruption Commission and the first tranche of amendments to the Public Interest Disclosure Act have been passed and are in implementation. The Government has promised a second tranche of reforms to the Public Interest Disclosure Act to better protect whistleblowers.
I have raised with the Federal Attorney General my support for a separate body to protect and support whistleblowers. We need expand the range of persons to whom disclosures can be made and the circumstances in which external disclosures are protected.
A new Whistleblower Authority must extend more certainty and meaningful professional and personal support to whistleblowers in relation their disclosures and protect them from reprisals.
The Government’s November 2023 consultation on public sector whistleblowing has now concluded so I will continue to hold it to account for effective legislative change in this area.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission ACT passed the parliament
The Government’s November 2023 consultation on public sector whistleblowing has now concluded so I will continue to hold it to account for effective legislative change in this area.
This Bill has been a long time coming. The issue of integrity in Government was a key platform during my campaign and so many of you told me you are fed up with politicians not being subject to the same level of scrutiny and accountability as other professions.
Nearly 200 people from Curtin have invested time in understanding the NACC model and developing the Curtin contribution to this Act through our workshops. I am heartened by Curtin’s enthusiasm and dedication to doing politics differently.
I will continue to hold the Government to account on matters that impact the integrity of our public sector.
