On Monday 26/10/2020 Helen Haines - Independent MP for Indi in Victoria - introduced new Legislation into the House of Representatives for a Federal Integrity Commission.
This is the SIXTH Bill introduced to Australia's Parliament by an Independent or Australian Greens Member or Senator for an anti-corruption body - in the past TEN years!
During this time, neither Labor Party OR the Liberal National Party (until Christian Porter's recent Claytons 'Toothless Tiger' Draft Commonwealth Integrity Commission!) have introduced a SINGLE piece of Legislation into Parliament for an ICAC - ONCE - despite John Howard PROMISING Australia an anti-corruption body WAY BACK in 2006!
As part of Helen Haines' Legislation there is provision a for a Parliamentary Code of Conduct for ALL Politicians - to be overseen by the Federal Integrity Commission - which is excellent.
I have another Petition supporting Helen Haines' Bill on Change as well as we can all support/sign MORE than one petition on this topic.
https://www.change.org/HainesIntegrityCommissionCodeofConduct
The more the better because then our Politicians will KNOW Australians MEAN it!
Ms Haines developed her Bill in consultation with Government and Opposition Politicians, legal academics, panels of retired Judges, civil society stakeholders and ethicists - so there appears to be no reason WHY Members of ALL political persuasions should have major issues with Helen's Bill.
While some Politicians CONDUCT can be appalling - the problem with MANY Politicians these days - is it's not just their Conduct but their ETHICS.
Politicians decisions affect peoples LIVES - and in a country as wealthy as ours - we should be able to care for EVERY Australian.
Politicians have sold our resources - our CHILDREN'S resources for far less than other countries like Norway and Qatar. Those countries have used their COUNTRY'S profits to ensure that no one gets left behind and THEIR children have a financially stable future.
Recently Bob Katter raised this issue - which is extremely LATE - but better late than never! While I think he really does cares about our CHILDREN'S future - and has voted for an Integrity Body on several occasions - he does not have the ability to really argue for this in a comprehensive way.
Our Politicians in Government have sold our resources for MUCH less. WHY?
Because they make their DECISIONS election-to election and it's EASIER to sell our products cheaper.
It's EASIER to allow CORPORATIONS to come up with ideas and do deals - but CORPORATIONS are about share-holder's profits NOT our children's FUTURE!
Not only do the CORPORATIONS PROFIT from our CHILDREN'S resources they avoid paying their fair share of TAX as well - so Australians and FUTURE GENERATIONS lose TWICE!
Conduct is one thing - making ETHICAL decisions is about ensuring that YOU enable the BEST DEAL for the Australian PEOPLE - when you are selling our resources!
Having ETHICS means you don't PASS Legislation that empowers/supports one group of Australians over another. That people aren't PUNISHED for being poor and for circumstances outside of their control.
That our children have access to education NOT based on how much money their family has.
That Politicians put the health, safety and happiness of FUTURE GENERATIONS above their concerns about being re-elected next term
THAT is what ETHICS is ALL about!
The LONG-TERM health, happiness and safety of the PEOPLE you represent.
I don't think a Code of Conduct quite covers it!
Do you?