Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

The October budget demonstrates that the Albanese Labor government is getting on with delivering its election commitments, rebuilding trust in government, supporting our most vulnerable people and improving safety. In the 2022-23 October budget the government announced funding of $591.4 million over four years for new measures in my portfolio. We're investing $262.6 million, including $68.8 million per year ongoing, to establish and support the ongoing operation of the independent National Anti-Corruption Commission. This funding will ensure the commission has the resources to properly consider referrals and allegations, conduct timely investigations and undertake corruption prevention and education activities.

Jointly with the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, I also announced in the budget a record $99 million First Nations Justice package aimed at closing the gap. This includes $81.5 million for justice reinvestment initiatives to be delivered in partnership with First Nations communities, including an independent unit to support these programs. There's also $13.5 million for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services to ensure First Nations families can access culturally appropriate and timely legal assistance before, during and after coronial processes. The budget also delivered $11 million for community led initiatives to improve safety in Central Australia.

The government is providing a funding boost of $49.8 million to the Australian Human Rights Commission to help rebuild its functions as Australia's national human rights institution after years of neglect. This includes $10.5 million for the commission to implement the recommendations of the Respect@Work report; to implement the positive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation; as well as to create a one-stop shop for workplace sexual harassment information. The commission is also receiving $7.5 million to develop a national antiracism strategy and to extend the 'Racism. It Stops with Me' campaign.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner will receive $5.5 million to investigate and respond to complaints relating to the Optus ransomware attack. We're investing $22.7 million to enhance the capacity of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to digitally manage evidence. The Australian Federal Police will receive $45.7 million for Pacific security and engagement initiatives, including AFP deployment in Honiara through the Solomon Islands International Assistance Force. The crucial work of the royal commission into the robodebt scheme will be supported with an additional $30 million.

We're also delivering on our election commitment to provide $12 million for Community Legal Centres in New South Wales and Queensland to assist flood and bushfire affected people to access timely legal assistance. Also, $7.7 million over four years from 2023, and $2.4 million per year ongoing, is to be provided for the Federal Circuit and Family Court to enable workers to recover underpayment of wages more easily under the small claims process in the Fair Work Act 2009.

Finally, the government will establish two task forces within the Attorney General's Department to, firstly, scope options to establish a federal judicial commission, and, secondly, to scope the establishment of an anti-slavery commissioner to work with business, civil society and state and territory governments to support compliance with Australia's Modern Slavery Act 2018 and to address modern slavery and supply chains.

With these important budget measures, the job of cleaning up the mess the Liberals left behind is well underway. There is more work to do, but I'm proud that the October budget is already demonstrating this government's commitment to integrity, human rights and safety.

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