Keith Wolahan (Menzies, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—Thank you to the member for Indi, who informed me today that she would be doing that. I don't have notes for this because I don't think any of us need them. You have fought for this over many years, and you deserve credit and acclaim for that. It's a shame that the students who were there before have walked off; I would have told them that they were witnessing a bit of history. I'd like to think that this institution will be one we look back on and say, 'That's one that enhances our democracy; it doesn't take away from it.'

We had a debate in the joint select committee and then in the parliament about getting the detail right. But there was goodwill from the coalition to pass this because, of all of the lessons that we learnt from the election, integrity was right up there—it really was. It certainly was in my seat in Victoria, where the member for Wannon is as well, and in New South Wales. Integrity comes in many forms and, certainly, this institution was a key part of that. This is what Australians told us they wanted.

But it's also about the quality of the people who we send here and the quality of the people who we appoint to that institution. When you look at this act, or any act, there's enormous discretion in them. Most of the decisions will be made behind closed doors, beyond scrutiny. So when it comes to an integrity commission, the integrity of the people that we put there is probably more important than the wording of the act. When the names were read out, from the inspector, to the commissioner to the deputy commissioners, I had confidence that they have been well selected and well chosen—but we won't give them a blank cheque to do the right thing.

From a personal perspective, integrity isn't just about winning elections and telling Australians that we heard the message. It's fundamental to our democracy, because in my personal experience deployed with the ADF to Afghanistan—and you might ask why I am raising Afghanistan—it was quite clear, from the earlier tours and through to the end, that corruption was undermining the mission. Corruption was something that people noticed. In the end I think it contributed to a democracy falling on our watch. We must never forget that it's fundamental to our democracy.

Corruption is defined in the act. Again, I would've said to the children that it's pretty simple. It's about putting others first, it's about not being selfish and it's about putting others first when no-one is watching. Maybe there are some people in this place or in a department who might've thought to do something, but a little light will go off in their head that says, 'Oh, but the corruption commission,' and if those little lights are going off then this institution is doing its job. For the integrity of this parliament I think Australians wants us to be honest, they want us to be courageous. Being courageous sometimes means, in this place or in the media, saying, 'I don't know, but I'll get back to you. I made a mistake.' And sometimes it means saying, 'I'm sorry.' I think we could all do more of that in our democracy.

I thank the member for Indi or giving me this chance. I thank the Australian people for letting us know that this really matters. I think the Australian people deserve credit for this institution. This committee, chaired by Senator White—and all of the members on the joint select committee and on this committee—is an important committee that, I think, will keep this institution on the right track and enhance our democracy.

See this speech in context