Maria Vamvakinou (Calwell, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Prior to being interrupted, I was in the process of speaking about the Ministers of State Amendment Bill 2022 and saying how important it was that we pass this bill, because it's designed to reinforce the principles of responsible government. I wanted to highlight how important honesty, integrity and accountability are to the proper functioning of our democratic government. They are important everywhere and to almost all Australians, but we feel this particularly keenly in my electorate of Calwell.

Calwell is one of the many outer suburban electorates around Australia with a very high proportion of citizens and residents who were born overseas. Many of those who have migrated to our great country have come as refugees or as people wanting to escape war, corruption, persecution or just general chaos in the countries they've left behind. They come to Australia with high hopes of stability, a healthy democracy and a system that makes sense and works as it was intended—where there are no secrets, no handshakes behind closed doors, no rules that apply to some but not all. A government that uses its power and position to mislead, to subvert longstanding conventions and to avoid proper scrutiny is not what we hold up as an Australian standard to any of our citizens, longstanding or recent.

I get the opportunity, like most members in this place, to attend citizenship ceremonies. In my electorate, they are happening in the dozens, literally. There are so many people becoming new citizens. It's fortunate that the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs is in the chamber today, because I get the opportunity to read out his message. I was going to quote from the message, but I think I'm just going to read it into Hansard because it speaks a lot about the values that we—

An honourable member: It starts with 'thank you'.

It starts with a 'thank you'. It also tells newly admitted citizens that they are now living in a democracy and that they are joining a community that has high standards and high values. It says:

Thank you for deciding to become an Australian citizen.

Today you join a nation that is one of the world's most successful multicultural societies, with around half of all Australians either born overseas, or with at least one parent born overseas.

In Australia, everyone can be proud of who they are—and everyone should be respected, valued and feel a sense of belonging.

We are privileged to share this beautiful country with the world's oldest continuing culture. This is a fundamental part of who we are.

For more than 60,000 years First Nations peoples have cared for country. Appreciating and understanding this truth, is a vital part of what it means to be Australian.

Australians are united by our shared commitment to democracy and the rule of law, and to freedom of speech, religion and association.

Our diversity is our greatest strength, and we prosper by embracing this.

We believe in a society in which everyone is equal, regardless of their gender, faith, sexual orientation, age, ability, race, national or ethnic origin. Ours is the land of the fair go, in which respect and compassion underpin our care for each other and our willingness to reach out to those around us in times of need.

By becoming an Australian citizen, you make a commitment to these values, and to contribute to our evolving Australian story.

And, of course, on behalf of the Australian government we congratulate everyone.

Our democracy is precious, and we cannot take it for granted. Central to protecting our democracy is enshrining transparency, accountability and the public's right to know. As the Solicitor-General stated:

… it is impossible for the Parliament to hold Ministers to account for the administration of departments if it does not know which Ministers are responsible for which departments.

This amendment is one important step in restoring the Australian people's confidence in our federal system of government, and it will help to ensure greater transparency and accountability and will implement the first of the six recommendations from the Bell inquiry. It is a step in the rebuilding of integrity in public sector institutions and programs, and I look forward to a strengthened relationship of trust between government and nation through the proper functioning of parliament and executive across all areas of public policy and service delivery. I commend this bill to the House.

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