Dana Wortley (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. I stand here tonight on this side of the chamber and, I must say, it is a far better place to be than on the benches opposite, from where I gave my first speech in this place, almost six years ago. To hold government is what we all aspire to and work towards in the Australian Labor Party—to deliver on our policies, to make the best country in the world to live even fairer and more equitable and to be able to facilitate that fairness and equity for all in our community.

Tonight I reflect on the past six years. I am particularly proud to be a member of the Labor government that finally delivered the long overdue apology to the stolen generations of the Aboriginal people. Tonight I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land on which we stand, the Ngunawal and Ngambri peoples, and I pay my respects to their elders past and present. In fact, I pay tribute to all Indigenous peoples of Australia, as together we walk along the path of reconciliation. I do so because I firmly believe it is the right thing to do, as it is right to give recognition of our Indigenous people each sitting day in this chamber and to make the welcome to country that now forms part of each new parliament.

I stand here proud also to be part of a government that was able to legislate to overturn Work Choices, which took away from the Australian workforce and stripped pay, conditions and dignity from hundreds of thousands of employees, including the most vulnerable and marginalised workers. The Labor government worked to bury laws that hurt workers and their families by attacking their rights, holiday pay, public holidays, redundancy provisions, meal breaks and rights of association at work. These laws attacked the Australian belief in a fair day's pay for a fair days work, undid a century of progress in industrial relations in this country and made the words 'fairness' and 'balance' obsolete in a workplace relations context. These laws slashed unfair dismissal rights, fostered agreements that decimated the safety net and rendered the independent umpire impotent. These laws left workers without an effective right to bargain collectively and marginalised unions. They were unfair, unbalanced and, ultimately, un-Australian.

The Labor government legislated for a fair work system, where each day workers can go to work knowing that a fair day's work will deliver a fair day's pay—not only equal pay for equal work but equal pay for work of equal value. This legislation restored to seven million workers the right to protection from unfair dismissal and guaranteed minimum standards, clearly outlined minimum wages, a return to freedom of association in the workplace and the right to representation in the workplace. These laws are underpinned by a strong, durable safety net of basic worker conditions and entitlements. They delivered on a promise to the Australian people of a system of fair work through the establishment of Fair Work Australia, the independent umpire with key functions including minimum wage setting, ensuring good-faith bargaining, award variation, approval of agreements, dealing with industrial action, resolution of disputes and unfair dismissal matters. They finally closed the doors on some of the darkest days for workers in this country. These days are gone, but they are not forgotten.

I am proud, too, to be part of a govern­ment that has driven an ambitious and unprecedented national reform agenda for education. This government has introduced the largest school modernisation program in Australia's history, involving 24,000 projects in 9½ thousand schools, with new class­rooms, libraries, multipurpose halls and trades training centres—infrastructure that will benefit hundreds of thousands of young people in this and future generations. We all know that education does not end when you turn 18 or complete year 12. To deliver the best education at all levels—at preschool, primary and secondary levels and at training and university levels—and to make it affordable and accessible to all people are Labor values and goals that, as a government, we have been working hard to achieve. With education comes opportunity; education really is a window to the world.

I am also pleased to be part of a govern­ment that is passionate about our environ­ment. Early in my term here, I discussed the Climate Change Action Bill 2006 and recalled a time when there were distinct seasons in Australia—when footy was played in the rain and mud and when children could play under the sprinkler on a hot afternoon. Now, more frequently we have extraordinary weather events such as floods and bushfires, droughts and cyclones. The protection of the environment has been an enduring passion of mine and it has informed many more years of activism than the six years I have spent in this place speaking often about the climate challenge that confronts us all. We have the opportunity to do so much more. My own state, South Australia, leads the country in terms of hot-rock geothermal energy and other renewable energy sources. This research and development is vital to our future. It is our responsibility to ensure the protection of our environment for this and future generations. I trust that the right decisions will be made in this place in the near future. I am also proud to be a member of a government that recognises the signi­ficance of one of Australia's most important and trusted institutions, our national broadcaster—a government that acknow­ledged the opportunities to be had by increasing funding to the ABC, delivering to it the largest funding increase since it was incorporated in 1983, funding that enabled the ABC to produce up to 90 hours of original Australian drama content per year, in contrast to that under the previous government, which resulted in the level of Australian drama on the ABC falling to less than 20 hours per year. This funding was also used to establish ABC3, which broadcasts child-appropriate contents for 15 hours per day and is complemented by interactive elements and online content.

The National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill that passed the House of Representatives in November last year will soon be considered by the Senate. The government remains committed to the legislation, and I look forward to the passage of the bill which will see the reinstatement of the position of the staff-elected director on the board—an important enhancement to the ABC's independence, providing the board with a director who has a unique insight into ABC operations. It is for this reason that it is a position that should never have been abolished.

Still on the media: the Australian media in general has an important role in our society and, as a former head of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance in South Australia and the Northern Territory and a member of the federal executive, and having sat on the University of South Australia's journalism advisory panel, I am familiar with the demands put on journalists. I listened for 10 years to journalists' concerns as the world which they knew changed significantly, seeing the impact it had on jobs as they moved from bi-media to tri-media newsrooms, and then to online journalism and single camera crews.

Australia currently ranks 18th on the World Press Freedom Index and is one of only 70 nations deemed to have a free press; a further 70 have a partly-free press, and more than 50 are listed as not free. We need to guard and protect the freedom of our media in this country. That is why last year I spoke in support of the Evidence Amendments (Journalists' Privilege) Bill 2010, which introduced protections known as shield laws. They foster freedom of the press and ensure better access to information for the Australian public. It is vital that journalists can obtain information so that they can accurately inform the Australia public about matters of interest. As Nelson Mandela once stated, a 'critical, independent, investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy'. Nelson Mandela also said that the press must enjoy legal protection so that it can protect the rights of citizens, and 'it must be bold and inquiring, without fear or favour'.

It is imperative that the Australian media behaves honourably and responsibly in its pursuit of truth and its dedication to informing the public. Those who abide by journalists' ethics are doing their profession and our democracy a great service. I encourage the more experienced journalists to mentor the younger and inexperienced journalists working among you in the significance of their role. I urge you to take the time to do this, because your knowledge and understanding will be of benefit to all. Journalists in this country should never lose sight of their role nor let their standards drop. And journalists should proceed with great caution when they find themselves creating the news rather than reporting it; the lines between commentary, opinion and news reporting should not blur.

Without doubt, the 24/7 news cycle brought about by new technology is a huge challenge for journalists in their day-to-day working lives, and it is a big challenge for many of us here, too. We are dealing with a minute-by-minute news cycle now, and it does put on enormous pressure. It is an important part of democracy to keep the public well informed but, despite the incredible time pressures facing the media, these demands should always be met with the highest upholding of the Australian journalists' code of ethics and its overriding principle, the public's right to know the facts and the truth.

With increasing pressure to produce an endless supply of stories, there are some aspects of journalism which must never be compromised. These include ensuring that the best journalistic practices prevail, and that journalists keep sight of the ethical goalposts in their day-to-day operations, however speedily their work must be delivered. I acknowledge that it is a big ask, and at a time of enormous change in the profession, but quality journalism must prevail. We must look after the institution—the fourth estate.

It is always disappointing to witness situations where members of the media create stories, or focus on irrelevant information on which to base a story they are creating, when they are out there missing the real news story of the day. It is not many journalists, because most are both ethical and diligent, but it is enough to make an impact, and I urge journalists never to take for granted the huge responsibility which has been bestowed upon them. I have defended the role of journalists for over a decade, and will continue to be an avid supporter of excellence in journalism.

I am honoured, also, to be a member of the Labor government that introduced the biggest ever increase in the age pension; delivered the first ever paid parental leave scheme; introduced bills to address inequality of rights and entitlements across our community and address discrimination on the basis of sexuality; signed the Kyoto protocol; appointed Australia's first female Governor-General; introduced legislation for an emissions trading scheme; delivered legislation which strengthens protection against sexual discrimination and harassment based on age; and a party which has as its leader Australia's first female prime minister, Julia Gillard.

In this place, much of our time, in sitting and in-between weeks, is spent on committee work, and I have had the good fortune, unlike some others who have already spoken here today, to be appointed to the committees which hold particular interest for me: the Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee; the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee and the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties. For more than 12 months I have chaired the parliament's Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety, and that will see me next week, in this chamber, table a report of an online survey that the committee conducted that was completed by more than 33,000 young Australians between the ages of five and 18. It is important that we listen to our young people, who are in many ways the consummate experts when it comes to technology.

In addition to committee work, as elected representatives we involve ourselves with many groups and organisations from the community. I am co-chair of Vision 2020 Australia, and since its inception this organisation has united the eye health and vision care sector and, in partnership with government, has made great progress towards the elimination of avoidable blindness by 2020. With less than a decade remaining, it is vital that the successful work of Vision 2020 and its members and supporters continues. I have also been involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which brings together many in the community to help find a cure for the disease which affects 122,300 people in Australia, with five children being diagnosed each day. Other roles I have filled in the past six years include Chair of the Australia-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group; for a while, Deputy Government Whip in the Senate; and Chair of the Regulations and Ordinances Committee. On a lighter note, I was a member of the first parliamentary netball team. We had a lot of fun playing against the Australian Netball Diamonds, the Canberra Darters and the Indian Nationals. I would have to say that the sweetest victory of them all—in fact, the only victory—was against the Canberra press gallery. It really was worth the five-degree, 7:30 am on Tuesday morning training sessions.

Australia is a great country to live in and raise future generations. We should welcome those from other countries who want to make it their home, including those fleeing from persecution. It is my view that we must encourage all generations to come with us on the journey to a fairer, more equitable society. Whenever I stand to sing our national anthem and get to the words 'We've boundless plains to share', it really does make me stop and think.

We all know that we do not arrive at this place on the hill without the support of many. Tonight I offer my thanks to the Australian Labor Party and the voters of South Australia. I thank all family and friends for the support Russell, Che and I have received over the past six years, particularly Che's nanna, Pamela, and Russell's late father, Kevin, my mother, Janice, who sadly passed away during the election campaign, my sister, Angelique, Dad and Ingrid, and friends, Carene, Paul, Lucy, Hannah, Debra, Paul, Wendy, Grant and Kyle. What can I say about my staff? I thank you for your commitment and I wish each of you successful and fulfilling futures. I thank Kyle, Lesley, Joan, Sharon, Grant, Carol and Shane. I intended having more of my staff here today, however there was volcanic ash and they are back in Adelaide.

Russell, what a journey! In fewer than 12 months after I took my seat in this place, you were elected to the South Australian parliament. Crosschecking parliamentary sitting days—when I would be here in Canberra and you would be sitting late in Adelaide—became part of our lives. What a juggle of the daily diary it was. I thank you, and I thank you for the care that you gave to Che.

Che, each night I was in Canberra I looked forward to our night-time reading over the phone, when you would lie in bed and I would read your chosen stories, which over the years became chosen novels. I also remember my first year here when an additional sitting day was added before the Christmas break. You were eight years old and were singing in the choir at St Peter's Cathedral. On arrival, I ran up the steps, dragging my suitcase with me and leaving it at the door of the cathedral, and slipped in quickly but quietly up the side aisle. I knelt down, our eyes met and you gave me the best smile. I had made it for the last three carols. I was so thankful, but I learnt that day that our lives had changed and I would never make a promise to you that I may not be able to keep. So tonight, Che, I make you this promise: whatever I do in the future, my base will be in Adelaide and I will be there most nights for the next five years to oversee your home work.

In conclusion, while there are many things I am sure I am going to miss about the House on the Hill and, in particular, the chamber with the red seats, one thing I can assure you is that I will not miss boarding the Sunday night, six o'clock Qantas flight from Adelaide to Canberra. To my colleagues Senators Hurley, Hutchins, Forshaw and O'Brien, who are also coming to the end of their term, I wish you all the best in your post-Senate lives. I also wish all the best to those opposite: Senators Minchin, Trood, Barnett, Troeth, Ferguson, McGauran and Fielding. I thank the staff here in Parliament House, the Office of the Black Rod, the attendants in the chamber, the tabling officer, the whips office, the Comcar drivers, Ian and Peter in transport, and the many security officers in this building. My thanks also go to the AMWU, the CEPU, the SDA, the TWU and the MEAA. I wish all my colleagues continuing here and the newly elected senators wisdom in their decision-making, and may each decision made prove to be in the best interests of our nation.