Linda White (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian Labor Party has a long and proud history of strengthening our electoral system, and in that tradition the government's priorities continue to be improving transparency and accountability in our electoral law. Labor believes Australians deserve to know who is donating to candidates and political parties and who is influencing policy. That's why we have had legislation before the parliament for years to ensure the donation disclosure threshold is fixed at $1,000 instead of the current $15,200 and to introduce real-time disclosure of donations. These proposed reforms have been referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters as part of the standing inquiry following each election, and I know they maintain broad support.

More broadly, though, some senators in this chamber, especially those attacking the Victorian Premier, may want to reflect on some of their own practices around fundraising and donations before lecturing others. Indeed I could take the rest of my time on this urgency motion to point out the complete hypocrisy from Pauline Hanson's One Nation in bringing on this debate today. I could spend my time stepping out how this sort of baseless attack is one thing: Senator Hanson's desperation in trying to improve her party's dismal polling prospects at the Victorian election this Saturday by pulling a stunt in the Senate. This motion is just a symptom of Senator Hanson's relevance deprivation syndrome after Pauline Hanson's One Nation flopped at the last federal election. Now Senator Hanson is worried about flopping in the Victorian election this week.

But I will not waste my time addressing the long and ugly history of Pauline Hanson's One Nation. No, instead I would like to take a moment to point out to Senator Hanson and to the Senate just what the state Labor government in Victoria has achieved and in doing so show Senator Hanson what good government in my state looks like. It looks like delivering on generational infrastructure projects, like removing 67 level crossings to make commuting quicker, safer and cheaper; building 6,300 new social and affordable homes, with a view to delivering 16,000 in the next four years; and building the Metro Tunnel. It looks like delivering on world-leading climate change policy by cutting emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050, re-establishing the state energy company to make energy cheaper and greener and making the largest tram network in the world powered by 100 per cent solar energy. It looks like providing reforms that make Victoria the place to be, whether you're a renter who now has access to better and protected rights, a casual worker who can now access a sick pay guarantee or a kid in any government school who can now see a mental health professional. It looks like leading the nation in recognising and advancing the rights of Australia's First Nations people through a Victorian truth-telling and treaty process. It looks like leading the nation by being the first state to legislate voluntary assisted dying laws, now a norm in this country, which means people can die with dignity. It means educating our young people for the benefit of all Victorians by making kindergarten free, making TAFE courses for in-demand occupations free and making it free to study nursing.

I could go on, but I will say lastly that the achievements I've outlined don't just look like good government; they are good government. While it's clear that some people want to scramble to repair their own reputations by attacking the Victorian government and its achievements, the reality is that the Australian Labor Party in Victoria has a proven record of getting things done. I have no doubt that, if re-elected, it will only build on the truly life-changing reforms that have made the lives of Victorians better.