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Show Integrity in Public Office project holds its fifth public witness
The Show Integrity in Public Office initiative began in 2022 as a response to integrity concerns regarding processes in the previous federal government. Supported by Quakers Australia, this project aims to promote transparency and accountability in political office. The group of Quakers involved held their fifth public witness on Thursday, 12 September 2024, at Parliament House in Canberra.
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) has long upheld a commitment to integrity and speaking truth to power, a Concern that dates back to the establishment of Quakers in England in 1652.As Quakers, we believe that integrity is demonstrated when a person is trustworthy, transparent, and open about their true motives.
The Integrity in Public Office project calls on parliamentarians to collaborate and legislate for greater integrity in public office. Although the National Anti-Corruption Commission was established in July 2023, ongoing bipartisan support is crucial to enable it to effectively carry out its duties. The recent creation of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission is also a positive step towards promoting greater integrity and personal safety within Parliament House.
As we approach the end of the current government’s term, with a federal election no later than May 2025, it is essential to ensure integrity in both the processes and content of legislation. There is concern that as pressure builds to pass Bills, adversarial behaviours may increase, reducing cooperation for the common good of Australia.
We acknowledge that greater integrity, accountability, and transparency may disrupt entrenched practices used by some parliamentarians, senior public officers, and political parties to maintain or gain political or personal power. However, it is important to remember that governments must govern for the public good, not for personal or sectarian benefits.
Quakers call for the following actions to enhance integrity in public office:
- Grants should be allocated based on merit, not for the purpose of vote-buying.
- Political donations should be capped and declared in real-time.
- Industry influence in political decision-making should be limited, especially when it does not serve the common good or the environment.
- Legislation should enforce real consequences for politicians, senior public servants, or appointees who demonstrate a lack of integrity.
- The practice of wasting time through personal attacks under 'parliamentary privilege' should cease.
The Show Integrity in Public Office project encourages all Australians to support these efforts to foster greater integrity in our political system.
For more information: Show Integrity in Public Office Project