Let’s face it—trust in politicians and the system isn’t what it used to be. Too often, we see dodgy dealings, secretive decisions, and a lack of real accountability. The average Aussie looks at Parliament and wonders, “Who’s keeping these folks honest?” And they’ve got a point. Politics should be about representing the people, not covering things up or letting big money call the shots. That’s why I believe we need a serious overhaul to clean up our government, starting with stronger accountability, transparency, and electoral integrity.
Why This Matters for Everyday Aussies
When you walk into the ballot box, you expect that the people you vote for are working for you—not just chasing after the next election or their next cushy corporate gig. But let’s be real: the system as it stands doesn’t do enough to keep politicians and public servants honest. And that’s a problem. In the private sector, if you stuff up, you’re held accountable. There are KPIs, targets, and consequences for poor performance. So why should it be any different for the folks who are supposed to be serving the public?
Small towns across Tasmania and rural Australia know the impact of broken promises and political spin. We’ve seen big corporations getting their way, dodgy deals sliding through, and rural communities getting left behind. If we want to make sure every Australian gets a fair go, then we need to tighten up how things are done in Canberra—and that starts with demanding more from the people in power.
Strengthening Accountability and Whistleblower Protections
One of the key changes I’m pushing for is revamping the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act to put some serious teeth into it. I’m talking about real penalties—civil and criminal—for public officials who break the rules or engage in dodgy behaviour. There’s no room for slaps on the wrist. If you’re in government and you’ve stuffed up, you should be held accountable just like any other Aussie in the workplace. That’s how we restore faith in the system.
And we need to protect the good folks who want to speak up. Whistleblowers—people with the guts to call out corruption or unethical behaviour—shouldn’t be afraid to lose their jobs or cop backlash. I’m calling for tough protections for whistleblowers, so if they see something wrong, they can shout it from the rooftops without fear of getting sacked.
Let’s Shine a Light on Government
Another big part of my plan is transparency. How many times have we heard about backroom deals or questionable contracts that only come to light after the damage is done? That’s got to stop. Under my policy, the public will have access to records on policy development, financial management, and performance evaluations. We’re paying for these services, after all. We deserve to see where the money’s going and what’s being done with it.
I’m also all about public feedback. The people should have a voice in the process—not just at election time, but throughout the life of a government program. If something’s not working, we should be able to say so, and more importantly, the government should listen and make changes where needed.
Fixing the Money Problem in Politics
Money talks, but in politics, it’s been shouting too loud for too long. We’ve got to get a handle on political donations. Under my vision, we’ll lower the disclosure threshold from $15,000 to $1,000 and make sure donations are disclosed within five days—none of this hiding behind long delays or loopholes. And let’s cap those donations. No more big bucks from shady industries like gambling, tobacco, or the fossil fuel giants. We’re building a system that works for the people, not for the highest bidder.
And when it comes to elections, let’s even the playing field. I want to introduce public funding for candidates, so new faces and independents have a shot—without needing to cosy up to deep-pocketed donors. Public funding gives everyone a fair go, and that’s what democracy should be about.
Truth in Advertising and Electoral Fairness
One thing that grinds my gears is the amount of misleading political advertising. How can the average Aussie make an informed decision when they’re being fed lies? It’s time we put a stop to that. I’m calling for laws to make sure political ads are truthful, and if someone tries to pull a fast one, they’ll face harsh penalties. Let’s bring integrity back to election campaigns, so people vote on real issues, not empty promises.
And speaking of elections, we need to give the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) more power to enforce the rules. Whether it’s donation transparency or campaign spending, the AEC needs the authority and the tools to make sure everyone’s playing fair. No more hiding behind dodgy bookkeeping or sneaky loopholes.
Civic Education and the Future
This policy isn’t just about fixing today’s problems—it’s about preparing for tomorrow. We need to make sure every Aussie, from kids in school to adults in the community, understands how our political system works and how they can get involved. Civic education is a must if we’re going to create a truly engaged and informed electorate.
And for politicians thinking about jumping straight into lobbying after they leave office, I’m introducing a mandatory five-year cooling-off period. No more cashing in on the connections they made while in government. Let’s keep it clean.
Why I’m Committed to This Change
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—our democracy is too important to be left to dodgy dealings and corporate interests. If I’m elected as your local federal member, I’m committed to introducing a national bill that tackles these issues head-on. We need a system that works for everyday Aussies, not just the rich and powerful. I’ll push for real accountability, transparency, and fairness in our political system, so we can restore trust and make sure future generations have a democracy they can be proud of. It’s time we held politicians to the same standards we expect in the real world. Let’s make this change together.
To read my policy on Enhancing Government Accountability and Electoral Integrity, select the button below.