Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked today.

I find this government very intriguing, as they seem unable to be able to look in the mirror and be honest with themselves. This government lectured us for months on end about the importance of transparency, honesty and accountability. The Prime Minister said last year:

Our democracy is precious. We should be very proud of the democracy we have created here in Australia. But the Westminster system relies upon checks and balances.

Yet, since coming to power, this government has done all that it can to unwind any kinds of checks and balances, let alone proper transparency. This government can't face the simple fact that in the past year of governing they have not done a single thing that was conducted in an accountable or transparent process. This government are complete hypocrites on accountability, and, frankly, Senator Gallagher refusing to answer simple questions here is doing nothing to ameliorate that concern. How is refusing to answer questions being accountable?

On 24 April 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese published an opinion piece called 'A government that will accept responsibility', and I'll quote from it. He said, 'Australia needs a government that will accept responsibility and not seek to blame others for its errors.' I find it particularly interesting, because all Labor have done is blame the former government. In what instance have we seen this government take any responsibility for its actions? In dealing with serious allegations, they cannot answer important questions, and Labor's unwillingness to be transparent, accountable or honest is shaping up to be a consistent pattern in their attitude and certainly their behaviour.

They blame, for example, the RBA for the 11 rate increases on their watch, while overseeing $185 billion in new spending that only adds to further inflationary pressure. I rack my brain to think of any legislation that they've passed that did not play political games and put the people of Australia ahead of their own agenda. We're all very aware of what happened late last year when the shocking 'secure jobs, better pay' bill came before this parliament. They allowed 22 days for the committee that I'm on, the Education and Employment Legislation Committee, to report on that legislation. Now, explain to me how 22 days is a satisfactory amount of time to consult with stakeholders, businesses and individuals, let alone giving them enough time to prepare significant and substantial submissions, in order for the department to have the appropriate time to consult and to have the bill drafted properly.

The Prime Minister needs to take a deep look inside his operations and how he is conducting his government. He needs to take a deep look. He needs to stop weaponising important issues and focus on leading this country with integrity. The government said they would end the waste and the pork-barrelling, yet the Minister for Communications blocked a freedom of information request for documents relating to Labor's dodgy round 6 of the Mobile Black Spot Program. No wonder it was blocked. The minister personally selected all 54 locations to receive funding, and they were almost all in Labor seats. This government has some very important questions that they must answer, and when they come into question time they should be prepared to answer those questions in their entirety and with clarity, not hide behind any sort of excuse.

So, remind yourselves, government, of the promise you made to the Australian people—the so-called promise that you would run the most honest, transparent and accountable government. We are yet to see that promise transpire. We're yet to see it occur here in this Senate. So take this opportunity to listen not just to me but to yourselves, because this was your promise, and you're failing dismally.