Sam Lim (Tangney, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am proud to read a speech from 14-year-old Dominic who lives in Tangney. The speech is in response to the following question posted by Raise Our Voice Australia: What should Australia's new parliament accomplish? Here are Dominic's words:

$80 million for a supposed water buyback. More than $100 million in sports rorts. Countless subsidies and grants to corporations. All out of the taxpayer pocket. This is what Australian politics has become.

Systemic corruption has always been an issue in Australia, and the cracks are clearly visible. Our ranking in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index dropped 6 places between 2012 and 2015. In 2019, only 25 % of Australians said they trusted the government.

The duty of parliament is to serve the Australian people, not lobbyists nor donors. Corruption and pandering to corporate interests is never acceptable, regardless of party affiliation. The proposed National Anti-Corruption Commission is a promising start to combating the rampant integrity issues in our government. I encourage parliament to strengthen the commission by ensuring public hearings and implementing additional measures such as a whistleblower protection authority.

Thank you, Dominic.