Greens MP and donations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says Premier Nathan Rees must back QLD Premier Anna Bligh's call for electoral funding reform to increase pressure on the Rudd government to end the corrupting influence of political donations ('Bligh wants ban on donations', p. 1, The Australian).
Ms Rhiannon has called for the ALP to publicly release a list of which corporations will attend today's National Conference in Darling Harbour, having paid $7,500 per head to be a 'business observer'. (See http://tiny.cc/fohga)
"Premier Rees should join forces with Anna Bligh to lobby the Rudd government to ban large political donations nationally," Ms Rhiannon said.
"If Nathan Rees fails to act, his talk on donations reform will be confirmed as cheap.
"The ALP should also release a list of corporations registered with the National Conference's 'Business Observers' Program.
"The public has a right to know which big businesses are paying $7,500 to get special access to Labor MPs at the national conference.
"Otherwise participants will not be disclosed until February 2011, after the next federal election.
"Labor is shamelessly using its national conference as a money spinner.
"The party is perpetuating a two tiered system of access to government.
"Those who can pay can sit on the ALP's business lounge and rub shoulders with government ministers at cocktail parties.
"Those who can't afford $7,500 must knock on the door of government and hope to be let in.
"Politicians are on the nose with the public. Cleaning up political donations would help to restore faith in political parties and MPs.
"There should be a limit of $1,000 on all political donations. Only Australian or permanent residents should be allowed to donate," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
For more on the Greens donations project visit www.democracy4sale.org