Opened the debate
Haines argued that the government had failed to deliver on promises regarding whistleblower protections, noting that seven years had passed since the Prime Minister first highlighted the need for reform. Haines criticised the short consultation period for the Public Interest Disclosure Act amendments and the subsequent disappearance of the draft legislation. Haines contended that the government continued to engage in pork-barrelling through invitation-only grants such as the Investing in Our Communities program and the Priority Community Infrastructure program. Haines described the withdrawn Freedom of Information Amendment Bill as an attack on transparency and noted that the Australian National Audit Office remained underfunded despite warnings of unsustainable finances. While acknowledging the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission as a positive step, she called for a reset following leadership resignations.