Andrew Wilkie (Clark, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Despite most of us in this place having turned our minds to the forthcoming election, it's also worth us reflecting on what's happened and been achieved in this term of parliament. The 2022 election brought us a new federal government and, mercifully, an unprecedented number of Independents. This has undeniably helped lift the tone of the parliament and helped ensure some good outcomes. For instance, we finally established the National Anti-Corruption Commission, something I and many others have long called for. This parliament has also enacted some reforms on climate change, which, while far from perfect, were needed after nine years of inaction by the previous government. Other notable outcomes championed by the crossbench include making the stage 3 tax cuts fairer, reforming the aged-care system and making HECS indexation more affordable for students and those with student debts.

Particular highlights for me have included legislating a date to end live sheep exports, banning credit card use for gambling and busting Julian Assange out of Belmarsh prison—all issues I have pushed hard on for many years. But we've also had our fair share of disappointments over the last three years with some shocking behaviour towards each other, wilful ignorance on some issues and downright gutlessness on others—not least this government's abandonment of environmental law reform and the gambling advertising ban.

While it shouldn't take an election to do it, I'm hoping all of us will now take the time to refocus and reprioritise the things that matter most to the community. This means standing up to big corporations and vested interests, and making decisions for the benefit of our constituents. Moreover, Australians are demanding a sharper focus on the soaring cost of living as well as the housing and health crises. It's not enough to tinker around the edges anymore and to pretend the job has been done. Australians are also desperate for improved service from the ATO, Centrelink, the NDIS and DVA. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect by their government and to be able to trust that government services are actually there to help. Instead, too often these systems grind on and people fall through the cracks.

What I also hear from my community, and from thousands across the country, is encouragement to continue pursuing meaningful political donations reform, gambling reform and media freedom and whistleblower reform as well as stronger action on climate change, on welfare and more humane treatment of asylum seekers. I plan to take these priorities forward and, should the people of Clark choose me again, I will do all I can to progress them in the next parliament.