2025-02-12
Responding to the late night rushed passage of the Electoral Reform Bill, which every crossbencher opposed and both big parties supported, Greens spokesperson on Democracy, Senator Larissa Waters said:
“Tonight, we’ve seen the major parties buddy up to rig the electoral system in their favour. After months of denying negotiations, it's clear they have been working together to prop up the two party system.
“What we have seen in the Senate tonight is an affront to democracy, debating a 400 page bill rushed through without an inquiry and with complex amendments only circulated moments before being voted upon. This is the worst process I’ve seen in my time in Parliament.
“Both Labor and Liberal saw their lowest votes ever at the last election. Instead of improving their policies, they’ve chosen to team up and cancel their competitors.
“I am outraged, but not shocked, to witness the two big parties team up on legislation that improves their election chances, and makes a mockery of our democracy.
“Labor’s dirty deal with the Opposition has increased secrecy over donations and raised donation caps; an act of self-interest to lock out anyone else trying to represent their community.
“From the outset, the lack of genuine engagement with the Greens and crossbench indicated the government was seeking a stitch-up with the LNP on these consequential reforms.
“The bill was supposed to cap donations from peak bodies like the Business Council and Minerals Council at $20,000, but now big mining companies could donate $250,000 each in membership fees, allowing them to spend up to $11.5 million on electoral campaigning. That doesn’t get big money out of politics, it just gives big corporations a back door.
“This deal is a complete joke—lobbyists run this place, and Ministers jump straight into industry jobs without any accountability. This bill does nothing to address that revolving door.
“The Greens will continue pushing for stronger transparency, truth in advertising, and getting big money out of politics.
“This is the dodgiest deal I’ve seen in my 13 years here. When the two major parties are falling in the polls, this is all they’ve got: policy to help each other, not the people.”
“Every crossbencher in the Senate opposed this bill, what more evidence is needed that this is a major party stitch-up."