Corinne Mulholland (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There has been a lot of talk in recent days about transparency and accountability in this chamber. But, when it comes to transparency and accountability, that standard must apply to all of us, not just some of us. It must apply on every sitting day, not just some days, and it should apply at question time, not just when it suits you.

In recent times, we have seen that the appearances in this chamber of the very people who champion transparency and accountability in this place have been fewer and far between, especially during question time, which is one of the key instruments used by the entire Australian parliament to ask questions of the executives. Some of those senators who talk about transparency and accountability can, in fact, be known to go MIA from this place. There are people who talk about wanting more transparency and accountability in the Senate, which is something we all want, but those same people have said in the media they often find themselves enjoying the parliament's health and recreational facilities in question time rather than being here. This week it was reported that others have been at a swanky Halloween party instead of being present in this chamber. I must admit, I actually thought it was a fake Betoota Advocate article, but, no, it was a real headline.

We don't get paid to go to the gym or to parties, do we? No. We get paid to show up in this chamber, to listen, to contribute and to vote. Even if senators don't have a question in question time, even if a question is not allowed, our job is to serve our communities in this place, not just when it suits us. While senators in the chamber voted for longer questions in question time, it seems they didn't vote for the accountability that goes with it, which is disappointing.