Show us your money
ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey will move to make parties declare their donations before ACT elections, when the Government brings on debate on its Electoral Legislation (Amendment) Bill.
“The Greens support an end to all political donations and a cap on electoral expenditure. But such a scheme might take a year or two to put in place around the country” Dr Foskey said today.
“In the meantime I have had amendments drafted that would make all political parties and candidates in the ACT declare their political donations before the election, just as they do in the UK.”
“My amendments would also require property developers to declare their donations every time they make a development application.”
“Among other amendments the Greens want to ensure that voters can easily tell who has produced electoral material like stickers, brochures and ads.
“There are problems with a ban on donations to political parties if it doesn’t apply to third parties as well. And we can’t ignore the fact that it costs a lot of money to run in an election. If only rich people or parties can contest elections it’s not a real democracy.”
“So putting an end to political donations and working out a fair public funding formula won’t work unless it operates nationally, and it will take some time to put in place.”
“For the ACT election this year, I think we should aim for maximum disclosure. My amendments are based on an English model which requires parties or candidates to disclose their donations every week in the lead up to an election. The Electoral Commissioner can then check those disclosures against the annual reports that parties make each July.”
“Finally, I’d like to suggest we look at toughening up the penalties for misleading and misinforming voters. It is extraordinary that the only penalty that seems to apply for Liberal Party members putting our false and defamatory brochures is a maximum $1,000 fine for incorrect authorisation.”
“This is precisely why, when the ACT Government’s Electoral Legislation Bill is debated, we will also oppose its plan to remove the specific protection from defamation that ACT political candidates presently have” Dr Foskey said.
