This government is committed to integrity, honesty and accountability. We understand the need to improve the standards of integrity of the federal government. We understand the importance of restoring public trust in our institutions. That is why we are introducing the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022. Australia has also fallen to rank 18 on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. In 2010, we were ranked eighth. We must do better. Our government knows that trust is what keeps our society together. Australians need to know that they can trust their public officials and institutions to act in their best interests. This bill will help to earn that trust.

With this bill, we seek to establish a national anti-corruption commission built on the design principles that we took to the election and that were endorsed by the Australian people. The establishment of the commission, with the appropriate procedures and safeguards and a robust definition of corruption, will allow the prompt investigation and identification of corrupt conduct. To safeguard the commission against inappropriate political interference, we are also securing its independence. We are doing this by requiring the appointment of the commissioners and deputy commissioners to be subject to approval by the parliamentary joint committee and we are further securing its independence by giving commissioners security of tenure for a single term of five years.

Strong whistleblower protections are also included in the legislation, protecting whistleblowers against adverse consequences, including criminal offences. The bill also ensures protection for journalists by providing them with an exemption from answering questions or providing information that would potentially identify a source. Following a recommendation by the Joint Select Committee on National Anti-Corruption Commission Legislation, we are also extending these protections to persons assisting a journalist in their work. With this bill, our government is strengthening the public sector's integrity, honesty and accountability. The people of Australia voted for a national anti-corruption commission, and the Albanese Labor government is delivering that.

There were few topics of more importance to the people of Cunningham than political integrity. During the election campaign, I had many constituents express to me their concern about the state of play in Australian politics, and it was during the campaign that Stephen Jones, the member for Whitlam, and I hosted the now Attorney-General when he visited the Illawarra Legal Centre. During this visit, the fantastic workers at the centre shared with us the daily challenges they face.

The legal system is complex and can seem overwhelming. Community legal centres like the Illawarra Legal Centre help people to navigate our legal system. Our local staff do important work for our community, and I would like to thank them for their professionalism, hard work and empathy. A huge thank you to coordinator Louise Farroway; principal solicitor Phil Dicalfas; solicitors Ian Turton, Lucy Houwelling, Judi Teesdale, Carolyn McLeod and Cheryl Williams; as well as the whole team for the amazing work that they do. They help the most vulnerable people in our community, and that is why Labor is delivering $12 million to support community legal centres help assist flood- and bushfire-affected communities in New South Wales and Queensland. This includes the Illawarra Legal Centre, which will receive a $1 million boost. I know the Attorney-General holds these centres in extremely high regard, and the member for Whitlam and I were so pleased that he took the time to meet with staff at the centre.

Throughout my election campaign, so many people raised the importance of having a national anti-corruption commission and, during his visit, these views were conveyed directly to the Attorney-General. The people of the Illawarra want a national anti-corruption commission established without delay. They have been waiting for far too long for a body that will help to restore trust and integrity in our system. Before the election, people were disillusioned and distrustful of the government and its institutions, and I can understand why with the track record of those opposite. The previous government said that they would establish an anti-corruption commission in December 2018. The Australian people waited and they waited and they waited. But, as usual with those opposite, they were all announcement, no delivery—yet another broken promise. That is why we need to establish the National Anti-Corruption Commission urgently.

All of us in this House have a monumental task ahead of us. As we face increasing national challenges, we are going to need to restore trust in our institutions. It is vital for the health of our democracy. The establishment of this commission will help to restore that trust. We understand that public sector corruption disproportionately affects the vulnerable people in our society. It wastes public resources and money, pilfering them from people in need. It deters investment and damages reputations and, ultimately, it harms people in the short and the long term. With this important bill, Labor is fulfilling yet another election promise, and our democracy will be healthier for it. I commend the bill to the House.