2024-11-28
Speaking on the impasse between the major parties on Electoral Reform Greens Senate leader and democracy spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said:
“We've seen the big party stitch up on electoral funding reform crumble today.
“The Greens were ready to pass the transparency aspects of this legislation having long campaigned to get the influence of big money out of politics.
“We want more transparency so the public can see who's paying for what outcome, who's paying to try to seek influence.
“With the deal reportedly dead between the two big parties who were very ready to scratch each other's back, the onus is now on the government to come and talk to the Greens and the crossbench about genuine electoral reform.
“Frankly, the government should have been talking more earnestly with us all along. However, it's pretty clear that they will now need to do that.
“We will continue to fight to clean up democracy so that it works for people, not just large political donors.
“We will always fight to make sure that corporate donors and fossil fuel companies and weapons manufacturers can't buy the policy outcomes that suit them ahead of the interests of the Australian public.
“We are very keen to continue to try to work on improving our democracy, and we could have passed those transparency measures today. There is theoretically still time, although there's a lot on the agenda.
“But we need to make sure that those other funding reforms were not simply a stitch up for the two big parties, and that is certainly what they looked to be.
“We need an inquiry into those provisions, or failing that, the government can go back to the drawing board and come and talk in an appropriately open fashion with the Greens and the crossbench.
“Then we can actually get reforms that will kick big money out of politics and protect democracy for the people, not just the two big parties.