MPs urge tougher standards for politicians acting badly

Politicians found to have breached the code of conduct could face fines of between two and five per cent of their base salary, or face being suspended from parliament.

A five per cent fine for the lowest paid backbencher would see them fined as much as $11,000.

Crossbench MPs have taken aim at the government for not making the commission stronger in enforcing actions.

Kylea Tink says self regulation won't work when trying to enforce better standards. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Independent Kylea Tink said parliament's powerful privileges committee, which reviews the actions of MPs, should not be placed in charge of assessing whether politicians be referred to the commission.

"We know self regulation doesn't work, in any sector," she said.

"Placing the privileges committee in charge of sanctioning MPs found to have significantly breached the standards is like asking arsonists to put out their own fires, and means there is no guarantee that disciplinary actions will be impactful."

Fellow independent Helen Haines also expressed disappointment with the commission's powers.

"We come to this place as potential role models for young people who may aspire to public life, and we have let them down on so many occasions and, of course, that's been going on for a very long period of time," she told parliament.

"The people of Australia are so tired of us making up our own rules and then hiding away when the rules are broken and making sure that nobody sees anything here."

The commission will be set up following recommendations stemming from a landmark report into workplace culture at Parliament House.

Labor MP Patrick Gorman said the commission would ensure standards would be upheld not just for politicians but for their staff and other employees in parliament.

"We are working very hard to ensure that this is a workplace that welcomes people's contribution and enables people to make those contributions," he said.