A Liberal MP who sensationally supported an anti-corruption watchdog despite opposition from within her own party has shared her emotional journey to its establishment.
Tasmanian backbencher Bridget Archer crossed the floor of parliament last year to support independent MP Helen Haines who called for an urgent debate on her integrity commission proposal.
Her move caught the former coalition government, and then prime minister Scott Morrison, by surprise.
A year later, parliament is set to vote on an anti-corruption model brought to parliament by the new Labor government.
Ms Archer said when she first spoke about establishing a federal integrity commission people told her it was a "fringe issue" that communities did not care about.
"I had no doubt that it was deeply important to Australians," she told parliament on Wednesday.
"I cannot adequately express how deeply grateful I am to be standing here today as we take the final steps towards rebuilding trust with the Australian people."
Ms Archer described the road to establishing the commission as "long, sometimes difficult and emotionally testing".
But she stood by her push and support for the body despite the personal toll.
"Politicians should not have a set of rules different to everyone else," she said.
Ms Archer said she was proud to have worked with her independent colleague to establish the anti-corruption commission.
"Democracy is a value we cherish in Australia and Australians have fought and died to uphold and defend our democratic freedoms," she said.
"We must remain vigilant to threats that would erode it and integrity is central to that aim."
