Welcome to the latest edition of Clark Matters, Andrew’s monthly email newsletter to help keep you abreast of federal politics and what he’s been up to.
Protection for whistleblowers
This month the Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025 was introduced in both the House of Representatives by Andrew and seconded by Dr Helen Haines MP, and in the Senate by Senator David Pocock and Senator Jacqui Lambie. Whistleblowers make Australia a better place and shouldn’t be punished for telling the truth, or for exposing misconduct or wrongdoing. Currently, the Government is failing to provide adequate support and protections and is instead fixated on punishing whistleblowers and deterring those who might feel inclined to speak out. Former military lawyer David McBride was imprisoned for exposing alleged war crimes by Australian forces in Afghanistan, and whistleblower Richard Boyle faces time in prison for revealing misconduct within the Australian Taxation Office. This is a disgrace.
The establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Authority will go some way to helping current and potential whistleblowers navigate the legal landscape when revealing evidence of misconduct, as well as ensuring they are supported when making disclosures of wrongdoing. Andrew is himself a whistleblower, having resigned from what is now the Office of National Intelligence in 2003 over the fraudulent reasons for the Australian Government becoming involved in the invasion of Iraq.
Nature law reforms
It’s bitterly disappointing that as we approach the end of the 47th Parliament we are still waiting on our nature laws to be fit for purpose. What’s more, the little progress that was made, was officially reversed this month when the Government and Opposition teamed up to remove the Environmental Protection Agency Bill from the Senate’s program.
This is another appalling example of the Government being beholden to big business and the mining lobby, because it’s been clear for years that Australia is in desperate need of a robust and transparent rewrite of our national environmental laws, and a regulator empowered to enforce them. Even the review commissioned by the Morrison Government in 2019 found that the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is “outdated and requires fundamental reform.” Reform was in fact an election promise from Labor in 2022.
Andrew has introduced legislation multiple times to set up an EPA and improve the EPBC Act, and will continue to advocate forcefully in Parliament for reforms that protect our native species and our environment for generations to come.
Underhanded electoral reform tactics
Andrew has been advocating for electoral reform for many years, emphasising that such reform must genuinely facilitate transparency and accountability in our political system. But the Government’s Electoral Reform Bill which was hastily passed this month with support from the Opposition did not do this, which is why Andrew opposed it.
The Government’s grubby deal with the Opposition in the Senate during the likely final sitting week of this parliament perilously diminished the Bill’s transparency measures. For example, last minute changes included increasing the disclosure threshold from $1,000 to $5,000, and increasing the donation cap from $20,000 to $50,000.
The Act will increase money flowing to the major parties, entrench the two-party system and lock out new challengers, including independents. For example, the Act’s loopholes enable the Liberal and Labor parties to receive millions from private entities like the Cormack Foundation or unions, while cutting off support to non-party aligned candidates. It also allows for established parties and incumbent MPs to receive significant increases in public funding.
Normally, Labor and the Coalition prefer to undermine each other rather than pass beneficial legislation. However, they will make an exception when it suits their mutual self-interest.
Make sure you’re registered to vote
The federal election is drawing near, and voting is compulsory so please ensure that you’re enrolled. Andrew will be running again for the seat of Clark and, if you’d like to support him, visit www.supportandrewwilkie.com.
Yours sincerely
