High-profile independent Zali Steggall has declared the two-party system is broken and voters have a clear choice come this federal election to make government more representative.
In a pre-election crossbencher forum at the National Press Club, the Warringah MP said her focus will be bringing integrity into politics.
“This election Australians have a very clear choice and let’s get real, the two-party system is broken,” she said on Monday.
“Australians do not feel represented, the trust in government is falling with every year that goes past (and) a federal anti-corruption commission is absolutely essential for Australians to know their taxpayer dollar is going where it should.
“We need to ensure we have processes in place to ensure accountability of government. The culture of the government has to change.”
Ms Steggall said she had trust issues with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and cited what she claimed was a lack of respect for women.
“I do have issues of trust with the prime minister. I have observed him over the last three years and I have repeatedly observed him fail to step up to leadership positions but also to show the adequate necessary respect for women,” she said.
“I sat there in parliament as he talked about protesters not far from here being met with bullets.
“I saw him absolutely – horrendously throw Christine Holgate … a very highly respected executive under the bus in parliament for political gain. It was entirely inappropriate.”
Greens leader Adam Bandt said he wouldn’t support a government led by Mr Morrison or Defence Minister Peter Dutton.
“I want to see this government gone,” he said.
“Scott Morrison has certainly failed every integrity test. He has had multiple chances to show that he is worthy of this office and he’s failed on every single occasion.”
Mr Bandt said he wanted to stop new coal and gas projects, tackle the cost of living crisis, and include mental and dental health in Medicare.
South Australian senator Rex Patrick said there was a lack of “openness and transparency” in government.
“There’s been too much secrecy that’s gone on for too long and that’s because we don’t have a properly funded auditor-general, because the houses of parliament aren’t working, because our FOI laws are not being adhered to, because we don’t have a federal ICAC that keeps an eye out for corruption,” he said.
